Conveyor belt assembly for identifying an asset sort location and methods of utilizing the same

ABSTRACT

Provided are systems and methods for associating an asset with a sort location, the system comprising a conveyor belt assembly and a user device configured to be worn by a user. The conveyor belt assembly comprises: an acquisition device and a plurality of stripes defining a non-repeating pattern, the plurality of stripes comprising a plurality of unique sets of stripes. The acquisition device is configured to capture image data comprising asset identifier data and conveyor mechanism data, the conveyor mechanism data including one of the plurality of unique sets of stripes. The user device is configured to capture conveyor mechanism data including one of the plurality of unique sets of stripes; remotely receive asset identifier data associated with the user device captured conveyor mechanism data; and generate and display to the user, relative to the asset, at least one visual indicator of one or more sort instructions for the asset.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/581,609, filed Apr. 28, 2017, the contents of which is herebyincorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND

Considerable attention has been directed toward automated handling ofpackages being transported by common carriers through transportationnetworks. Yet automated handling is a complex problem with many parts,such that no single system or method alone appears to provide acomprehensive solution for all conditions. Instead, for accurate andefficient automated handling to occur, it appears as though acombination of many different and many improved techniques andassemblies are required. Thus, simplicity and cost become importantconsiderations.

A primary component in many systems and methods for automated handlingof packages is a conveyance device (i.e., conveyor belt), which aregenerally formed and/or extended around at least two driving wheels.Thus, by turning the driving wheels, the conveyor belt may be runendlessly. Conveyor belts may also generally be flexible and deformableat least while running in contact with the driving wheels, and amultitude of materials, linkages, and so forth have been used to achievethese goals.

Where automated handling of packages has been implemented in connectionwith conveyor belts and otherwise, certain inefficiencies may arise. Forexample, where packages may be improperly or too closely placed relativeto one another on the conveyor belt, congestion may arise, impactingvarious measurements or the like that need to be performed on thepackages while on the conveyor belt. Still further, where the materialsin which packages are wrapped (e.g., foil or paper or the like) differin color or other material characteristics, inaccuracies may also arisein any measurements, imaging, or observations made in an automatedfashion relative to the packages.

Thus, a need exists for an improved conveyor belt assembly andassociated methods of using and operating the same that facilitate moreefficient, effective, and accurate automated handling of packages.

In conjunction with the above-detailed desirable automated handling ofpackages via an improved conveyor belt assembly, it is also importantfor common carriers to maintain accurate information regarding thelocation of various assets shipped from a variety of origins to avariety of destinations. The various assets often undergo multiple sortprocedures via conveyor belts and the like, and are moved from onetransportation vehicle to another as each asset moves closer to itsintended destination.

Sort procedures often require many employees of common carriers to sortassets arriving in several vehicles, and these assets may be placed inseveral locations corresponding to their next stop before reaching anintended destination. The employees may receive some indication of theproper sort location for each asset, such as text printed on each assetor instructions scrolling across a video screen. The employee may thenplace the asset in the proper sort location after receiving theindication of the proper sort location. In various circumstances, theemployee may manually identify the location at which the asset isplaced, and thereby maintain a record of the location of the assetthroughout the shipping process.

However, historical concepts for identifying the location of an assethave been cumbersome, requiring sort employees to individually identifythe sort location for each of a plurality of assets being sorted. Forexample, a sort employee may be required to scan indicia on each asset(e.g., a bar code) and subsequently scan a similar indicia on the sortlocation in order to associate the asset with the sort location.Alternatively, the sort employee may be required to first scan indiciaon a sort location, and then scan a similar indicia on each of one ormore assets to be associated with the single sort location. Regardlessof the scan order (e.g., asset first or sort location first), the sortemployee is required to scan a new sort location indicia each time anasset is to be sorted to a second sort location. Requiring employees toscan multiple indicia significantly reduces sorting efficiency andincreases the possibility of employee error. Should an employee fail toscan the proper sort location indicia before placing an asset at a sortlocation, the asset location may be improperly stored, and such assetmay be transported to an incorrect destination. Such events mayadditionally result in improper reporting from data storage devices.

Thus, a need exists for an improved system and method for maintainingaccurate records of the location of an asset in a sort process whilealso providing improved automated handling of the packages from aconveyor belt to a sort location and more efficient, effective, andaccurate automated guidance of actions taken by sort employees relativeto the packages.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to various embodiments described herein, there is provided asystem for associating an asset travelling along a conveying mechanismwith a sort location, the system comprising a conveyor belt assembly anda user device configured to be worn by a user. The conveyor beltassembly comprises: a conveyor mechanism having a primary axis orientedin a direction of travel of the conveyor mechanism and defining a pathof movement of one or more assets placed upon the conveyor mechanism;and an acquisition device located within an acquisition zone locatedalong the path of movement, wherein: the conveyor mechanism comprises aplurality of stripes defining a visible surface of the conveyormechanism and providing thereon a non-repeating pattern, the pluralityof stripes comprising a plurality of unique sets of stripes furtherdefining the non-repeating pattern; and the acquisition device isconfigured to capture image data of an asset travelling along the pathof movement, the image data captured comprising asset identifier dataand conveyor mechanism data, the conveyor mechanism data including oneof the plurality of unique sets of stripes defining the non-repeatingpattern of stripes defining the visible surface of the conveyormechanism, the asset identifier data and the conveyor mechanism databeing associated relative to one another and the associated asset. Theuser device comprises: a user device memory; and one or more user devicecomputer processors configured to: adjacent the conveyor mechanism,capture conveyor mechanism data including one of the plurality of uniquesets of stripes defining the non-repeating pattern of stripes definingthe visible surface of the conveyor mechanism; remotely receive assetidentifier data associated with the user device captured conveyormechanism data; and generate and display to the user, relative to theasset, at least one visual indicator of one or more sort instructionsfor the asset based upon the remotely received asset identifier data.

According to various embodiments described herein, there is alsoprovided a computer implemented method for associating an assettravelling along a conveying mechanism with a sort location. The methodcomprises the steps of continuously operating a conveyor belt assembly,capturing, via the acquisition device, image data of an asset travellingalong the path of movement, the image data captured comprising assetidentifier data and conveyor mechanism data, the conveyor mechanism dataincluding one of the plurality of unique sets of stripes defining thenon-repeating pattern of stripes defining the visible surface of theconveyor mechanism, the asset identifier data and the conveyor mechanismdata being associated relative to one another and the associated asset;capturing, via a user device configured to be worn by a user and whenthe user device is adjacent the conveyor mechanism, conveyor mechanismdata including one of the plurality of unique sets of stripes definingthe non-repeating pattern of stripes defining the visible surface of theconveyor mechanism; remotely receiving, at the user device, assetidentifier data associated with the user device captured conveyormechanism data; and generating and displaying to the user and on theuser device, relative to the asset, at least one visual indicator of oneor more sort instructions for the asset based upon the remotely receivedasset identifier data. The conveyor belt assembly comprises: a conveyormechanism having a primary axis oriented in a direction of travel of theconveyor mechanism and defining a path of movement of one or more assetsplaced upon the conveyor mechanism; and an acquisition device locatedwithin an acquisition zone located along the path of movement, whereinthe conveyor mechanism comprises a plurality of stripes defining avisible surface of the conveyor mechanism and providing thereon anon-repeating pattern, the plurality of stripes comprising a pluralityof unique sets of stripes further defining the non-repeating pattern;

According to various embodiments described herein, there is alsoprovided a computer program product for associating an asset travellingalong a conveying mechanism with a sort location, the computer programproduct comprising at least one non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium having computer-readable program code portions stored therein,the computer-readable program code portions comprising one or moreexecutable portions configured for: capturing, via an acquisition devicewithin an acquisition zone, image data of an asset travelling along apath of movement on a conveyor mechanism, the image data capturedcomprising asset identifier data and conveyor mechanism data, theconveyor mechanism data including one of a plurality of unique sets ofstripes defining a non-repeating pattern of stripes defining a visiblesurface of the conveyor mechanism, the asset identifier data and theconveyor mechanism data being associated relative to one another and theassociated asset; capturing, via a user device configured to be worn bya user and when the user device is adjacent the conveyor mechanism,conveyor mechanism data including one of the plurality of unique sets ofstripes defining the non-repeating pattern of stripes defining thevisible surface of the conveyor mechanism; remotely receiving, at theuser device, asset identifier data associated with the user devicecaptured conveyor mechanism data; and generating and displaying to theuser and on the user device, relative to the asset, at least one visualindicator of one or more sort instructions for the asset based upon theremotely received asset identifier data.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 schematically depicts a control system according to one or moreembodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 2 schematically depicts the control system shown in FIG. 1according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 3 schematically depicts a user device that communicates with thecontrol system of FIG. 1 according to one or more embodiments shown anddescribed herein;

FIG. 4 schematically depicts the user device of FIG. 3 according to oneor more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 5 schematically depicts a display in communication with the controlsystem of FIG. 1 according to one or more embodiments shown anddescribed herein;

FIG. 6A schematically depicts a work zone of FIG. 5 captured by anacquisition device according to one or more embodiments shown anddescribed herein;

FIG. 6B schematically depicts an image of the work zone of FIG. 6Aviewed on the display according to one or more embodiments shown anddescribed herein;

FIG. 7A schematically depicts the work zone of FIG. 5 captured by anacquisition device according to one or more embodiments shown anddescribed herein;

FIG. 7B schematically depicts an image of the work zone of FIG. 7Aviewed on the display according to one or more embodiments shown anddescribed herein;

FIG. 8 schematically depicts a facility which assets are sortedaccording to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 9 schematically depicts a sort location of the facility of FIG. 8according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 10 is a perspective or isometric view of an improved conveyor beltassembly according to one or more embodiments shown and describedherein;

FIG. 11 schematically depicts a flowchart illustrating operations andprocesses performed by the acquisition device of the improved conveyorbelt assembly of FIG. 10 according to one or more embodiments shown anddescribed herein;

FIG. 12 schematically depicts a flowchart illustrating operations andprocesses performed by the user device of FIG. 3 according to one ormore embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 13 schematically depicts a flowchart illustrating operations andprocesses performed by the location device of FIG. 1 according to one ormore embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 14 schematically depicts a flowchart illustrating operations andprocesses performed by the control system of FIG. 1 according to one ormore embodiments shown and described herein;

FIGS. 15A-15C are perspective or isometric views of exemplary visualindicators utilized with the improved conveyor belt assembly accordingto one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIGS. 15D-15E are perspective or isometric views of exemplary visualindicators utilized with the sort location according to one or moreembodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 15F is a perspective or isometric view of exemplary visualindicators utilized in combination with the improved conveyor beltassembly and the sort location according to one or more embodimentsshown and described herein;

FIG. 16A is an illustration of a color spectrum utilized with theimproved conveyor belt assembly according to one or more embodimentsshown and described herein; and

FIG. 16B is an illustration of a pattern of unique colors generated viathe color spectrum utilized with the improved conveyor belt assemblyaccording to one or more embodiments shown and described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not allembodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, the invention may beembodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limitedto the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments areprovided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legalrequirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

I. OVERVIEW OF AN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems andmethods for utilizing an improved conveyor belt assembly, associateduser device(s), and a generated augmented reality environment toassociate and direct an asset to a particular sort location. As usedherein, an asset may be a parcel or group of parcels, a package or groupof packages, a box, a crate, a drum, a box strapped to a pallet, and/orthe like. According to standard practices, packages to be sorted aremoved along a conveyor belt from some package source to an intakelocation (e.g., one or more sort employee workstations). A user (e.g., asort employee) scans a bar code on the package, or simply reviewsinformation printed on the package, and moves that package to anappropriate sort location (e.g., a vehicle, a shelf, and/or the like)based on the information provided on the package or via the barcodescanner. As described herein, embodiments utilizing an improved conveyorbelt assembly rely upon an acquisition device (e.g., a stationaryimager) positioned above the conveyor, upstream of the intake locationor sort employee workstations to capture data associated with thepackage. The conveyor belt itself also incorporates a non-repeatingpattern of colored, optionally transverse, stripes along its length,such that each package is positioned atop a plurality of uniquelypatterned stripes. In this manner, as the conveyor moves packages underthe acquisition device, scanned or otherwise captured data forrespective packages is associated with the correspondingly uniquepattern of stripes atop which each respective package is located.

At the one or more sort employee workstations, the sort employeesutilize one or more user devices, which may be augmented realityscanners (e.g., glasses), configured to constantly monitor thenon-repeating and unique pattern of stripes of the conveyor belt as itmoves and transports packages toward the intake locations and the sortemployees. Once the augmented reality scanners (e.g., glasses) recognizea portion of the pattern that is associated with a particular package,the glasses generate and display at least one sort instruction withinthe line of sight of the sort employee, also proximate the package inquestion. Because the striped pattern on the conveyor belt issignificantly larger than printed indicia (e.g., barcodes) on thepackages themselves, the glasses are able to recognize distinctivedifferences between respectively unique portions of the stripes upon theconveyor belt, and thereby recognize various packages (and their sortinginstructions) without having to separately scan each package, whetherautomatically or by each individual sort employee. In at least oneembodiment, the glasses may generate and display navigationalinstructions over one or more of the properly associated packages so asto guide the sort employee to packages assigned to them. The glasses arealso configured to constantly self-determine their own location relativeto the improved conveyor, so as to in identifying the pattern thereon,also account for differences in perspective that may alter theappearance of the striped pattern relative to the scanners.

Once a sort employee picks up a package and begins moving the packagetoward a sort location, the control system (e.g., an augmented realitysystem) facilitates identification of and movement to the appropriatesort location for the package. To facilitate efficient and accurateidentification of the sort location, each sort location may, in certainembodiments, have a corresponding marker (e.g., a bar code, QR code,symbol, etc.) that may be identified by the augmented reality scanner(e.g., glasses). In this manner, the glasses may identify each marker,determine whether the marker corresponds to the correct sort locationfor the package, and determine the location of the proper sort locationrelative to the identified marker. In at least one embodiment, theglasses may generate and display navigational instructions over one ormore of the identified markers to guide the sort employee (once holdingan assigned package) to the proper sort location. For example, theglasses may overlay arrows over each identified marker pointing towardthe proper sort location (based on known relative locations of eachmarker to the known proper sort location), and/or an emphasizing symbolto indicate the location of the proper sort location.

In other embodiments, the glasses may generate and display navigationalinstructions without overlay thereof relative to any markers (or thelike); in these instances, the glasses may utilize software that usesthe markers to calculate or otherwise determine/generate athree-dimensional space surrounding the glasses and via that generatedspace and/or environment, place the guiding signs or navigationalinstructions anywhere suitable within the space/environment.Three-dimensional mapping and identification of discrete points withinthe mapped space and/or environment may be utilized to provide requisiteand/or desired granularity of discrete points for placement of theguiding signs or navigational instructions.

II. COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS, METHODS, AND COMPUTING ENTITIES

Embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in various ways,including as computer program products that comprise articles ofmanufacture. A computer program product may include a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium storing applications, programs, programmodules, scripts, source code, program code, object code, byte code,compiled code, interpreted code, machine code, executable instructions,and/or the like (also referred to herein as executable instructions,instructions for execution, computer program products, program code,and/or similar terms used herein interchangeably). Such non-transitorycomputer-readable storage media include all computer-readable media(including volatile and non-volatile media).

In one embodiment, a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium mayinclude a floppy disk, flexible disk, hard disk, solid-state storage(SSS) (e.g., a solid state drive (SSD), solid state card (SSC), solidstate module (SSM)), enterprise flash drive, magnetic tape, or any othernon-transitory magnetic medium, and/or the like. A non-volatilecomputer-readable storage medium may also include a punch card, papertape, optical mark sheet (or any other physical medium with patterns ofholes or other optically recognizable indicia), compact disc read onlymemory (CD-ROM), compact disc-rewritable (CD-RW), digital versatile disc(DVD), Blu-ray disc (BD), any other non-transitory optical medium,and/or the like. Such a non-volatile computer-readable storage mediummay also include read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory(PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electricallyerasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory (e.g.,Serial, NAND, NOR, and/or the like), multimedia memory cards (MNIC),secure digital (SD) memory cards, SmartMedia cards, CompactFlash (CF)cards, Memory Sticks, and/or the like. Further, a non-volatilecomputer-readable storage medium may also include conductive-bridgingrandom access memory (CBRAM), phase-change random access memory (PRAM),ferroelectric random-access memory (FeRAM), non-volatile random-accessmemory (NVRAM), magnetoresistive random-access memory (MRAM), resistiverandom-access memory (RRAM), Silicon-Oxide-Nitride-Oxide-Silicon memory(SONOS), floating junction gate random access memory (FJG RAM),Millipede memory, racetrack memory, and/or the like.

In one embodiment, a volatile computer-readable storage medium mayinclude random access memory (RAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM),static random access memory (SRAM), fast page mode dynamic random accessmemory (FPM DRAM), extended data-out dynamic random access memory (EDODRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double datarate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), double datarate type two synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR2 SDRAM),double data rate type three synchronous dynamic random access memory(DDR3 SDRAM), Rambus dynamic random access memory (RDRAM), TwinTransistor RAM (TTRAM), Thyristor RAM (T-RAM), Zero-capacitor (Z-RAM),Rambus in-line memory module (RIMNI), dual in-line memory module (DIMM),single in-line memory module (SINN), video random access memory (VRAM),cache memory (including various levels), flash memory, register memory,and/or the like. It will be appreciated that where embodiments aredescribed to use a computer-readable storage medium, other types ofcomputer-readable storage media may be substituted for or used inaddition to the computer-readable storage media described above.

As should be appreciated, various embodiments of the present inventionmay also be implemented as methods, apparatus, systems, computingdevices, computing entities, and/or the like. As such, embodiments ofthe present invention may take the form of an apparatus, system,computing device, computing entity, and/or the like executinginstructions stored on a computer-readable storage medium to performcertain steps or operations. However, embodiments of the presentinvention may also take the form of an entirely hardware embodimentperforming certain steps or operations.

Embodiments of the present invention are described below with referenceto block diagrams and flowchart illustrations. Thus, it should beunderstood that each block of the block diagrams and flowchartillustrations may be implemented in the form of a computer programproduct, an entirely hardware embodiment, a combination of hardware andcomputer program products, and/or apparatus, systems, computing devices,computing entities, and/or the like carrying out instructions,operations, steps, and similar words used interchangeably (e.g., theexecutable instructions, instructions for execution, program code,and/or the like) on a computer-readable storage medium for execution.For example, retrieval, loading, and execution of code may be performedsequentially such that one instruction is retrieved, loaded, andexecuted at a time. In some exemplary embodiments, retrieval, loading,and/or execution may be performed in parallel such that multipleinstructions are retrieved, loaded, and/or executed together. Thus, suchembodiments can produce specifically-configured machines performing thesteps or operations specified in the block diagrams and flowchartillustrations. Accordingly, the block diagrams and flowchartillustrations support various combinations of embodiments for performingthe specified instructions, operations, or steps.

III. EXEMPLARY SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE

Generally, embodiments of the present invention relate to concepts forutilizing an improved conveyor belt assembly, associated user device(s),and an augmented reality environment to automatically associate anddirect an asset/package to a particular sort location. FIG. 1 is aschematic diagram showing the exemplary communication relationshipsbetween components of various embodiments of the present invention. Asshown in FIG. 1, the system may include one or more control systems 100,one or more user devices 110, one or more location devices 415associated with a sort location 400, one or more improved conveyor beltassemblies 800, and one or more networks 105. Each of the components ofthe system may be in electronic communication with one another over thesame or different wireless or wired networks including, for example, awired or wireless Personal Area Network (PAN), Local Area Network (LAN),Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), or the like.Additionally, while FIG. 1 illustrates certain system entities asseparate, standalone entities, the various embodiments are not limitedto this particular architecture.

A. Exemplary Control System

FIG. 2 provides a schematic of a control system 100 according to oneembodiment of the present invention. As described above, the controlsystem 100 may be incorporated into a system as one or more componentsfor providing information regarding the appropriate sort location foreach of one or more assets 10 (FIG. 5). In general, the terms computingentity, computer, entity, device, system, and/or similar words usedherein interchangeably may refer to, for example, one or more computers,computing entities, desktops, mobile phones, tablets, phablets,notebooks, laptops, distributed systems, gaming consoles (e.g., Xbox,Play Station, Wii), watches, glasses, key fobs, radio frequencyidentification (RFID) tags, ear pieces, scanners, televisions, dongles,cameras, wristbands, kiosks, input terminals, servers or servernetworks, blades, gateways, switches, processing devices, processingentities, set-top boxes, relays, routers, network access points, basestations, the like, and/or any combination of devices or entitiesadapted to perform the functions, operations, and/or processes describedherein. Such functions, operations, and/or processes may include, forexample, transmitting, receiving, operating on, processing, displaying,storing, determining, creating/generating, monitoring, evaluating,comparing, and/or similar terms used herein interchangeably. In oneembodiment, these functions, operations, and/or processes can beperformed on data, content, information, and/or similar terms usedherein interchangeably. The control system 100 may also comprise variousother systems, such as an Address Matching System (AMS), an InternetMembership System (IMS), a Customer Profile System (CPS), a PackageCenter Information System (PCIS), a Customized Pickup and DeliverySystem (CPAD), a Web Content Management System (WCMS), a NotificationEmail System (NES), a Fraud Prevention System (FPS), and a variety ofother systems and their corresponding components.

As indicated, in one embodiment, the control system 100 may also includeone or more communications interfaces 220 for communicating with variouscomputing entities, such as by communicating data, content, information,and/or similar terms used herein interchangeably that can betransmitted, received, operated on, processed, displayed, stored, and/orthe like.

As shown in FIG. 2, in one embodiment, the control system 100 mayinclude or be in communication with one or more processing elements 205(also referred to as processors, processing circuitry, and/or similarterms used herein interchangeably) that communicate with other elementswithin the control system 100 via a bus, for example. As will beunderstood, the processing element 205 may be embodied in a number ofdifferent ways. For example, the processing element 205 may be embodiedas one or more complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs),microprocessors, multi-core processors, co-processing entities,application-specific instruction-set processors (ASIPs),microcontrollers, and/or controllers. Further, the processing element205 may be embodied as one or more other processing devices orcircuitry. The term circuitry may refer to an entirely hardwareembodiment or a combination of hardware and computer program products.Thus, the processing element 205 may be embodied as integrated circuits,application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmablegate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic arrays (PLAs), hardwareaccelerators, other circuitry, and/or the like. As will therefore beunderstood, the processing element 205 may be configured for aparticular use or configured to execute instructions stored in volatileor non-volatile media or otherwise accessible to the processing element205. As such, whether configured by hardware or computer programproducts, or by a combination thereof, the processing element 205 may becapable of performing steps or operations according to embodiments ofthe present invention when configured accordingly.

In one embodiment, the control system 100 may further include or be incommunication with non-volatile media (also referred to as non-volatilestorage, memory, memory storage, memory circuitry and/or similar termsused herein interchangeably). In one embodiment, the nonvolatile storageor memory may include one or more non-volatile storage or memory media210, including but not limited to hard disks, ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM,flash memory, MMCs, SD memory cards, Memory Sticks, CBRAM, PRAM, FeRAM,NVRAM, MRAM, RRAM, SONOS, FJG RAM, Millipede memory, racetrack memory,and/or the like. As will be recognized, the non-volatile storage ormemory media may store databases, database instances, databasemanagement systems, data, applications, programs, program modules,scripts, source code, object code, byte code, compiled code, interpretedcode, machine code, executable instructions, and/or the like. Such codemay include an operating system, an acquisition module, a sort locationmodule, a matching module, and a notification module. The termsdatabase, database instance, database management system, and/or similarterms used herein interchangeably may refer to a structured collectionof records or data that is stored in a computer-readable storage medium,such as via a relational database, hierarchical database, and/or networkdatabase.

In one embodiment, the control system 100 may further include or be incommunication with volatile media (also referred to as volatile storage,memory, memory storage, memory circuitry and/or similar terms usedherein interchangeably). In one embodiment, the volatile storage ormemory may also include one or more volatile storage or memory media215, including but not limited to RAM, DRAM, SRAM, FPM DRAM, EDO DRAM,SDRAM, DDR SDRAM, DDR2 SDRAM, DDR3 SDRAM, RDRAM, TTRAM, T-RAM, Z-RAM,RIMM, DIMM, SIMM, VRAM, cache memory, register memory, and/or the like.As will be recognized, the volatile storage or memory media may be usedto store at least portions of the databases, database instances,database management systems, data, applications, programs, programmodules, scripts, source code, object code, byte code, compiled code,interpreted code, machine code, executable instructions, and/or the likebeing executed by, for example, the processing element 205. Thus, thedatabases, database instances, database management systems, data,applications, programs, program modules, scripts, source code, objectcode, byte code, compiled code, interpreted code, machine code,executable instructions, and/or the like may be used to control certainaspects of the operation of the control system 100 with the assistanceof the processing element 205 and operating system.

As indicated, in one embodiment, the control system 100 may also includeone or more communications interfaces 220 for communicating with variouscomputing entities, such as by communicating data, content, information,and/or similar terms used herein interchangeably that can betransmitted, received, operated on, processed, displayed, stored, and/orthe like. Such communication may be executed using a wired datatransmission protocol, such as fiber distributed data interface (FDDI),digital subscriber line (DSL), Ethernet, asynchronous transfer mode(ATM), frame relay, data over cable service interface specification(DOCSIS), or any other wired transmission protocol. Similarly, thecontrol system 100 may be configured to communicate via wirelessexternal communication networks using any of a variety of protocols,such as general packet radio service (GPRS), Universal MobileTelecommunications System (UMTS), Code Division Multiple Access 2000(CDMA2000), CDMA2000 1× (1×RTT), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access(WCDMA), Time Division-Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access(TD-SCDMA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), Evolved Universal TerrestrialRadio Access Network (E-UTRAN), Evolution-Data Optimized (EVDO), HighSpeed Packet Access (HSPA), High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA),IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), 802.16 (WiMAX), ultra-wideband (UWB), infrared (IR)protocols, near field communication (NFC) protocols, Bluetooth'protocols (e.g., Bluetooth™ Smart), wireless universal serial bus (USB)protocols, and/or any other wireless protocol.

The control system 100 may include or be in communication with one ormore input elements, such as a keyboard input, a mouse input, a touchscreen/display input, motion input, movement input, audio input,pointing device input, joystick input, keypad input, and/or the like.The control system 100 may also include or be in communication with oneor more output elements (not shown), such as audio output, video output,screen/display output, motion output, movement output, and/or the like.

As will be appreciated, one or more of the control system's 100components may be located remotely from other control system 100components, such as in a distributed system. Furthermore, one or more ofthe components may be combined and additional components performingfunctions described herein may be included in the control system 100.Thus, the control system 100 can be adapted to accommodate a variety ofneeds and circumstances. As will be recognized, these architectures anddescriptions are provided for exemplary purposes only and are notlimiting to the various embodiments. Additional details in this respectmay be understood from U.S. Ser. No. 15/390,109, the contents of whichas are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

B. Exemplary User Device

FIG. 3 depicts a user device 110 that a user 5 (FIG. 8) may operate. Asused herein, a user 5 (FIG. 8) may be an individual (e.g., sortpersonnel), group of individuals, and/or the like. In variousembodiments, a user 5 may operate the user device 110, which may includeone or more components that are functionally similar to those of thecontrol system 100. In one embodiment, the user device 110 may be one ormore mobile phones, tablets, watches, glasses (e.g., Google Glass,HoloLens, Vuzix M-100, SeeThru, Optinvent ORA-S, Epson Moverio BT-300,Epson Moverio BT-2000, ODG R-7, binocular Smart Glasses, monocular SmartGlasses, and the like), wristbands, wearable items/devices, head-mounteddisplays (HMDs) (e.g., Oculus Rift, Sony HMZ-T3 W, and the like), thelike, and/or any combination of devices or entities adapted to performthe functions, operations, and/or processes described herein. The termuser device 110 is intended to refer to any device that projects,superimposes, overlays, or otherwise provides an image on a surface withrespect to a user's viewing angle or line of vision or a user device110's angle. Certain devices within the scope of the term user device110 may also not project/provide any image on a surface; instead, animage may be implanted directly in the optic nerve or even the brain ofa user utilizing (e.g., wearing) the user device.

The term user device 110 is intended to also include any otherperipheral electronics and functionality that may be provided inconjunction with such devices. For example, a user device 110 mayinclude speakers, headphones, or other electronic hardware for audiooutput, a plurality of display devices (e.g., the use of two displaydevices, one associated with each of the user's eyes, to enable astereoscopic, three-dimensional viewing environment), one or moreposition sensors (e.g., gyroscopes, global positioning system receivers,and/or accelerometers), battery packs, beacons for external sensors(e.g., infrared lamps), or the like. In one embodiment, the user device110 can be used to provide an augmented reality environment/area, amixed reality environment/area, and/or similar words used hereininterchangeably to a user. The terms augmented/mixed environment/areashould be understood to refer to a combined environment/area includingthe physical environment/area and elements of a virtualenvironment/area.

As shown in FIG. 3, the user device 110 can include an antenna 312, atransmitter 304 (e.g., radio), a receiver 306 (e.g., radio), and aprocessing element 308 (e.g., CPLDs, microprocessors, multi-coreprocessors, co-processing entities, ASIPs, microcontrollers, and/orcontrollers) that provides signals to and receives signals from thetransmitter 304 and receiver 306, respectively. Certain embodiments ofthe user device 110 may also include and/or be associated with any of avariety of sensors (e.g., three-dimensional sensors, depth cameras,three-dimensional scanners, binocular cameras, stereo-vision systems,and the like). Still further, other input methods, including eyetracking devices, mind-reading interfaces, and body hacks (e.g.,implanted sub-skin sensors) may be utilized in conjunction with and/orincorporated as components of the user device 110 described herein.

The signals provided to and received from the transmitter 304 and thereceiver 306, respectively, may include signaling information inaccordance with air interface standards of applicable wireless systems.In this regard, the user device 110 may be capable of operating with oneor more air interface standards, communication protocols, modulationtypes, and access types. More particularly, the user device 110 mayoperate in accordance with any of a number of wireless communicationstandards and protocols, such as those described above with regard tothe control system 100. In a particular embodiment, the user device 110may operate in accordance with multiple wireless communication standardsand protocols, such as UMTS, CDMA2000, 1×RTT, WCDMA, TD-SCDMA, LTE,E-UTRAN, EVDO, HSPA, HSDPA, Wi-Fi, WiMAX, UWB, IR, NFC, Bluetooth'Smart, USB, and/or the like. Similarly, the user device 110 may operatein accordance with multiple wired communication standards and protocols,such as those described above with regard to the control system 100 viaa network interface 320.

Via these communication standards and protocols, the user device 110 cancommunicate with various other entities (e.g., an acquisition/displayentity 115 and/or a location device 415) using concepts such asUnstructured Supplementary Service Data (US SD), Short Message Service(SMS), Multimedia Messaging Service (MIMS), Dual-Tone Multi-FrequencySignaling (DTMF), and/or Subscriber Identity Module Dialer (SIM dialer).The user device 110 can also download changes, add-ons, and updates, forinstance, to its firmware, software (e.g., including executableinstructions, applications, program modules), and operating system.

According to one embodiment, the user device 110 may include a locationand/or perspective determining aspect, device, module, functionality,and/or similar words used herein interchangeably. For example, the userdevice 110 may include outdoor and/or environmental positioning aspects,such as a location module adapted to acquire, for example, latitude,longitude, geocode, course, direction, heading, speed, universal time(UTC), date, and/or various other information/data. In one embodiment,the location module can acquire data, sometimes known as ephemeris data,by identifying the number of satellites in view and the relativepositions of those satellites. The satellites may be a variety ofdifferent satellites, including Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite systems,Department of Defense (DOD) satellite systems, the European UnionGalileo positioning systems, the Chinese Compass navigation systems,Indian Regional Navigational satellite systems, and/or the like.Alternatively, the location information may be determined bytriangulating the user device 110's position in connection with avariety of other systems, including cellular towers, Wi-Fi accesspoints, and/or the like. Similarly, the user device 110 may includeindoor positioning aspects, such as a location/environment moduleadapted to acquire, for example, latitude, longitude, geocode, course,direction, heading, speed, time, date, and/or various otherinformation/data. Some of the indoor systems may use various position orlocation technologies including RFID tags, indoor beacons ortransmitters, Wi-Fi access points, cellular towers, nearby computingdevices (e.g., smartphones, laptops), nearby components with knownrelative locations, and/or the like. For instance, such technologies mayinclude the iBeacons, Gimbal proximity beacons, Bluetooth Low Energy(BLE) transmitters, Near Field Communication (NFC) transmitters,three-dimensional scanners, robot vision systems, environmental mappingdevices, and/or the like. These indoor positioning aspects can be usedin a variety of settings to determine the location of someone orsomething to within inches or centimeters.

The user device 110 may also detect markers and/or target objects. Forexample, the user device 110 may include readers, scanners, cameras,sensors, and/or the like for detecting when a marker and/or targetobject and/or a pattern of unique colors (or a unique subset thereof;see FIG. 16B) on the improved conveyor belt is within its point-of-view(POV)/field-of-view (FOV) of the real world environment/area. Forexample, readers, scanners, cameras, sensors, and/or the like mayinclude RFID readers/interrogators to read RFID tags, scanners andcameras to capture visual patterns and/or codes (e.g., text, barcodes,character strings, Aztec Codes, MaxiCodes, information/data Matrices, QRCodes, electronic representations, and/or the like), and sensors todetect beacon signals transmitted from target objects or theenvironment/area in which target objects are located. For example, insome embodiments, the user device 110 may detect signals transmittedfrom the control system 100 (FIGS. 1-2), an asset 10 (FIG. 5), animproved conveyor belt assembly (FIG. 10), and/or from a location device415 (FIG. 1).

In one embodiment, the user device 110 may include accelerometercircuitry for detecting movement, pitch, bearing, orientation, and thelike of the user device 110. This information/data may be used todetermine which area of the augmented/mixed environment/area correspondsto the orientation/bearing of the user device 110 (e.g., x, y, and zaxes), so that the corresponding environment/area of the augmented/mixedenvironment/area may be displayed via the display along with a displayedimage. For example, the user device 110 may overlay an image in aportion of the user's POV/FOV of the real world environment/area.

The user device 110 may also comprise or be associated with an assetindicia reader, device, module, functionality, and/or similar words usedherein interchangeably. For example, the user device 110 may include anRFID tag reader configured to receive information from passive RFID tagsand/or from active RFID tags associated with an asset 10. The userdevice 110 may additionally or alternatively include an optical readerconfigured for receiving information printed on an asset 10. Forexample, the optical reader may be configured to receive informationstored as a bar code, QR code, or other machine-readable code. Theoptical reader may be integral to the user device 110 and/or may be anexternal peripheral device in electronic communication with the userdevice 110. The optical reader may also or alternatively be configuredto receive information stored as human readable text, such ascharacters, character strings, symbols, and/or the like. The user device110 may utilize the asset indicia reader to receive informationregarding an asset 10 to be sorted.

In at least one embodiment, the user device 110 may be equipped with anoptical reader or the like configured to receive and/or monitorinformation associated with an improved conveyor belt, as detailedelsewhere herein. For example, the optical reader may be configured toreceive and/or otherwise monitor and/or recognize a plurality ofnon-repeating patterned stripes located on the improved conveyor beltand associated with respective assets or packages. In this manner, theoptical reader may be configured to identify a particular asset orpackage and based upon the sensed or detected pattern, retrieve and/orotherwise generate/display data associated with the particular asset orpackage. Such data may include package-level detail, sort instructionsfor the package (as detailed elsewhere herein), and/or assignment data,reflective of whether the package is assigned to a particular user(e.g., sort employee) utilizing the user device in question. Forexample, where the user devices are individually wearable glasses, eachmay be associated with a specific sort employee wearing the glasses atthat time, such that only those packages assigned to that sort employeeare analyzed and processed.

The user device 110 may also comprise a user interface (that can includea display or see-through display 114 coupled to a processing element 308and/or a user input device 318 coupled to a processing element 308). Forexample, the user interface may be a user application, browser, userinterface, and/or similar words used herein interchangeably executing onand/or accessible via the user device 110 to interact with and/or causedisplay of information, as described herein. The user interface cancomprise any of a number of devices allowing the user device 110 toreceive data, such as a keypad (hard or soft), a touch display, voice ormotion interfaces, or other input device. In embodiments including akeypad, the keypad can include (or cause display of) the conventionalnumeric (0-9) and related keys (#, *), and other keys used for operatingthe user device 110 and may include a full set of alphabetic keys or setof keys that may be activated to provide a full set of alphanumerickeys. In addition to providing input, the user input interface can beused, for example, to activate or deactivate certain functions, such asscreen savers and/or sleep modes.

The user device 110 can also include volatile storage or memory 322and/or non-volatile storage or memory 324, which can be embedded and/ormay be removable. For example, the non-volatile memory may be ROM, PROM,EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory, MMCs, SD memory cards, Memory Sticks,CBRAM, PRAM, FeRAM, NVRAM, MRAM, RRAM, SONOS, FJG RAM, Millipede memory,racetrack memory, and/or the like. The volatile memory may be RAM, DRAM,SRAM, FPM DRAM, EDO DRAM, SDRAM, DDR SDRAM, DDR2 SDRAM, DDR3 SDRAM,RDRAM, TTRAM, T-RAM, Z-RAM, RIMM, DIMM, SIMM, VRAM, cache memory,register memory, and/or the like. The volatile and non-volatile storageor memory can store databases, database instances, database managementsystems, data, applications, programs, program modules, scripts, sourcecode, object code, byte code, compiled code, interpreted code, machinecode, executable instructions, and/or the like to implement thefunctions of the user device 110. As indicated, this may include a userapplication that is resident on the entity or accessible through abrowser or other user interface for communicating with the controlsystem 100 (FIG. 2), location device 415 (FIG. 1), and/or various othercomputing entities.

In another embodiment, the user device 110 may include one or morecomponents or functionality that are the same or similar to those of thecontrol system 100, as described in greater detail above. As will berecognized, these architectures and descriptions are provided forexemplary purposes only and are not limiting to the various embodiments.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of an exemplary user device 110 that sends,receives, and/or displays information related to the asset 10 (FIG. 5)and/or the sort location 400 (FIG. 1) and/or the improved conveyor beltassembly 800 (FIG. 10). In one embodiment, the user device 110 includesa set of glasses 112, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,063,256; U.S.Publication No. 2016/0370452; and U.S. Ser. No. 15/390,109, all of whichas are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. The glasses112 include the display 114 (which may be monocular, as illustrated, orbinocular) and an information gathering device such as an image camera116. The user device 110 may further include a local computer 120 havingthe processing device 308 (FIG. 3), the antenna 312 (FIG. 3), thenetwork interface 320 (FIG. 3), the transmitter 304 (FIG. 3), thereceiver 306 (FIG. 3), the volatile memory 322 (FIG. 3), and/or thenon-volatile memory 324 (FIG. 3). In some embodiments, the user device110 is an optical, wearable display, such as Google Glass, availablefrom Google Inc., HoloLens available from Microsoft Inc., Epson MoverioBT-300 or BT-2000, ODG R-7, or the like. In certain embodiments, theuser device 110 is a monocular-based set of glasses; in otherembodiments, a binocular-based set of glasses may be provided.

In still other embodiments, the display may be a device separate fromthe glasses through which the items may be viewed or, in otherembodiments, on which a representation of the item may be viewed whereinsuch representation may include outline images of the items, symbolsthat represents the items or characteristic information about the items.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the information gathering device isan image camera 116 that is mounted on the glasses 112. In otherembodiments, the information gathering device may be a three-dimensionaldepth sensor, a stereo camera, and/or the like. The image camera 116, inone embodiment, is a center-view visible light camera that is used toacquire label images and may acquire images associated with an asset 10(FIG. 5) and/or an improved conveyor belt assembly 800 (FIG. 10). ThePOV/FOV of the image camera 116 may correspond to the direction of theuser device 110 and therefore the POV/FOV of the user 5 (FIG. 8). Withthe POV/FOV, images can be presented to the user of target objects(e.g., an asset 10) that are within the environment/area of the userdevice 110. For example, while the user 5 (FIG. 8) is going about hisdaily work, the user device 110 can display the correspondingenvironment/area and images overlaid on the same. The displayed imagemay include images (e.g., stock images of assets 10 or actual images ofassets 10), text (sorting instructions or warnings), video (e.g.,handling procedures), menus, selection boxes, navigation icons, and/orthe like. In this manner, the displayed image(s) is merged with objectsin the physical world/environment in a seamless manner, so as to providea sense that the displayed image(s) is an extension of the realitypresent in the physical world/environment. This is oftentimes referredto as a “mixed reality” or a “hybrid reality” environment, whereby themerging of real and virtual worlds produces a new environment containingvisualizations of both physical and digital objects that are able toco-exist and interact relative to one another in a real-time manner.Stated otherwise, provided and/or generated is an overlay of syntheticcontent on the real world or physical environment, with the former beinganchored to and able to in a real-time manner (e.g., upon movement of auser) interact with the real world or physical environgment(sic).

The local computer 120 is comprised of a computer including the networkinterface 320 (FIG. 3) which may determine the orientation and positiondetermination of the user 5 (FIG. 8) based on images obtained from theimage camera 116. Alternatively, the local computer 120 may determinethe orientation and position of the user 5 (FIG. 8) based on a locationmodule adapted to acquire, for example, latitude, longitude, geocode,course, direction, heading, speed, universal time (UTC), date, and/orvarious other information/data, as described above. The local computer120 also performs view-plane computations, which is a process that usesthe three-dimensional position data for each relevant object, anddetermines the position and orientation of the wearer of the user device110. The local computer 120 manages the application-provided displaysymbology for each relevant object to determine what is to be displayedin the display 114 and where to display the information such that itappears superimposed proximately about or on an item, such as an asset10 (FIG. 5). The local computer 120 packaging may also contain a powersource (not shown), which may be self-contained such as, for example,batteries or other forms of rechargeable, replaceable, reusable orrenewable power sources. Peripherals may also be provided, including abelt bag (e.g., for holding the external battery or the like), anexternal scanner (e.g., Bluetooth capable or the like), and/or QR cardsfor a user to utilize when handling items. Additional details in thisrespect may be understood from U.S. Ser. No. 15/390,109, the contents ofwhich as are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

C. Exemplary Improved Conveyor Belt Assembly

FIG. 10 depicts an improved conveyor belt assembly 800 in communicationwith the control system 100, where the improved conveyor belt assemblyfacilitates obtaining of asset 10 information and association thereofwith a unique pattern of colored stripes 808 (see also FIGS. 16A-B). Inthe embodiment depicted in FIG. 10, the improved conveyor belt assembly800 may comprise a conveying mechanism 802 and an acquisition/displayentity 115 (see also FIG. 5), each of which as are described in furtherdetail below.

1. Exemplary Improved Conveying Mechanism 802

FIG. 10 depicts an improved conveying mechanism 802 that has a patternof stripes 808 (which may be colored) provided thereon. Via utilizationof the pattern of stripes 808, the improved conveying mechanism isconfigured to enable a unique set of stripes to be associated with eachasset 10 travelling upon the conveying mechanism. In this manner, a user5 approaching the conveying mechanism and utilizing (e.g., wearing) auser device 110 may recognize and/or otherwise capture respectivelyunique sets of stripes approaching and based thereon (e.g., viacommunication with the acquisition device 115 and/or the control system110) view one or more visual indicators 810 associated with the asset 10that has been previously (e.g., via the acquisition device 115)associated with the unique sets of stripes (see also FIG. 16B).Advantageously, this configuration enables identification of the asset10 from much longer distances (of the user relative to the conveyingmechanism) than configurations wherein the user device must besufficiently close to the asset so as to read/sense information directlytherefrom.

With respect to the pattern of stripes 808 provided, reference now toFIGS. 16A and 16B is beneficial. In FIG. 16A, there is depicted anexemplary color spectrum 806 that may be utilized according to variousembodiments. It should be understood, though, that in certainembodiments, varying degrees of grayscale-based stripes may be provided,as opposed to full color versions thereof. Still further, although FIG.16A illustrates a set of eight (8) colors 806A-806H that may be utilizedto generate the unique pattern of stripes 808 upon the conveyingmechanism 802, it may be understood that less than eight or more thaneight colors may be utilized, with the advantage being that the morecolors used, the more permutations of unique sets of stripes may begenerated.

Indeed, many more than eight colors may be utilized, as most camerasutilized today can differentiate between several million distinctcolors. That said, at least one factor informing a particularlyadvantageous range of a volume of colors used is that the matching ofunique permutations of the colors—and the colors themselves—to a pictureor image captured or sensed in differing light conditions must beperformed with relative speed. Utilizing millions of colors would resultin tens of millions (if not more) permutations, the processing timeassociated with identifying matches therein as would be quite lengthy. Alesser volume of colors is thus advantageous. Offsetting this potentiallimitation in certain embodiments on the number of colors used is theability to calibrate the user device (or sensors associated therewith)via a reference chart of available colors. This chart may beelectronically generated and/or a physical component in the physicalrealm (e.g., a poster near the conveying mechanism that can be used tocalibrate the sensor by providing examples of the same colors in theconveyor, under the same light conditions currently present, so that thesoftware within the user device can take a picture thereof and—asnecessary—adjust hue to read the pattern and/or color intensitycorrectly. In certain embodiments, this color calibration may occurperiodically (e.g., daily); in other embodiments, it need only occur iflight conditions surrounding the conveying mechanism change, whichchange may also be automatically sensed and/or monitored.

For example, where eight colors are used, more than 300 permutations ofunique sets of stripes may be provided (and thus assigned uniquely toassociated assets 10), at least where the sets of stripes are defined bythree consecutive stripes positioned adjacent one another. It should beunderstood, of course, that more than three consecutive stripes may beutilized to define a unique set of stripes, as may be desirable, forexample, relative to larger assets 10. It is not envisioned, though,that fewer than three colors (of colors 806A-806H) would ever beutilized so as to define the color spectrum 806. Still further, thecolors 806A-806H illustrated are exemplary (e.g., red, yellow, green,blue, purple, black, gray, and white); it should understood that any ofa variety of known colors and/or grayscale depictions may be used. Inother embodiments as well, the colors of the stripes may be providedwith a pattern thereon, whether a hatching or the like, as described infurther detail in U.S. Pat. No. 9,599,459, the contents of which as areincorporated herein in their entirety.

FIG. 16B depicts an exemplary pattern of stripes 808 generated utilizingthe color spectrum 806 of FIG. 16A. Rows as placed upon the conveyingmechanism 802 (or otherwise incorporated within, for example, as amaterial of the same), may be understood as being numbered consecutively1-64. With reference to FIG. 10, it may be also understood thataccording to certain embodiments, the orientation of the rows/stripeswithin the pattern 808 may be oriented transverse to a machine direction(or direction of travel, as seen in FIG. 5) of the conveying mechanism.In certain embodiments, when so transversely oriented, the stripes mayextend substantially continuously across an entire width of theconveying mechanism; in other embodiments, however, the stripes may onlyextend across a majority of the width, as may be desirable. In stillother embodiments, the stripes may be oriented other than in atransverse direction relative to the direction of travel of theconveying mechanism 802.

Referencing still further FIG. 16B, it may be understood that within thepattern of stripes 808 generated there are distinctly unique sets ofstripes 808A-808H, which may each include three, four, or even more setsof adjacently positioned/oriented stripes. In any of these and stillother embodiments, it should be noted that the pattern of stripes 808and the unique sets defined there-within are non-repeating, as should beevident from FIG. 16B. It is in this manner that the acquisition device115 is able to associate a unique set of stripes (e.g., 808A) with afirst asset 10 and a second unique set of stripes (e.g., 808B) with asecond asset, such that thereafter a user 5 wearing the user device 110may utilize the user device to recognize (e.g., image capture) any ofthe unique sets of stripes (e.g., 808A-808H and the like) and therefromalone determine asset identifier data associated with the particularasset 10 positioned atop the unique set of stripes recognized. If thepattern were repeating, or at least not sufficiently non-repeating,multiple assets could conceivably be associated with the same unique setof stripes (e.g., 808A); however, as designed, the pattern of stripes808 has sufficient permutations to provide a non-repeating pattern so asto facilitate unique association of each set of stripes with a uniqueasset.

Remaining with FIG. 16B but also with reference to FIG. 10, it may beunderstood also that each of the stripes defining the pattern of stripes808 may have the substantially the same width. In certain embodiments,however, in addition to having the non-repeating pattern of colors, thewidths of the stripes may also be variable, so as to generate stillfurther unique permutations within the pattern. In at least oneembodiment, the widths of each of the stripes may be approximately ten(10) centimeters. In other embodiments, the widths may be greater thanor less than ten centimeters, for example in a range of approximately5-15 centimeters or in a range of approximately 2-20 centimeters.Additional details in this respect are described in detail in U.S. Pat.No. 9,599,459, the contents of which as are incorporated herein in theirentirety.

It should also be understood that according to various embodiments, inaddition to having a pattern of stripes 808 incorporated as part of theconveying mechanism 802, each of the stripes within the pattern may bemade of different materials and/or differently formed. For example,certain stripes may be formed from a material that is akin toconventional conveyor belts, while other stripes may be formed from amaterial having a high lumen factor or the like. Due to known widths ofthe stripes, beyond associating a unique set of stripes (e.g.,808A-808H) with each individual asset 10, the improved conveyor beltassembly 800, whether due to utilization of the acquisition device 115or otherwise, may also determine relative dimensions of each asset 10.Additional details in this respect and otherwise are described infurther detail in U.S. Pat. No. 9,599,459, the contents of which as areincorporated herein in their entirety.

2. Exemplary Acquisition/Display Entity 115

FIG. 10 depicts an acquisition/display entity 115 according to oneembodiment that operates in communication with the control system 100,where the acquisition/display entity 115 is configured toobtain/show/transmit information or data associated with an asset 10and/or the improved conveyor belt assembly (i.e., the unique pattern ofcolored stripes 808 (or a defined subset thereof) on the conveyingmechanism 802 described previously herein). In the embodiment depictedin FIG. 10 the acquisition/display entity 115 includes one or moreimaging devices configured to capture images (e.g., image data) ofassets 10 (and/or item/shipment identifiers) moving along the conveyingmechanism 402 and/or to capture images (e.g., image data) of the uniquepattern of colored stripes 808 adjacent each asset 10 on the improvedconveying mechanism 802, all as described elsewhere herein.

Reference to FIG. 5 is useful in this respect, wherein theacquisition/display entity 115 in communication with the control system100 is also illustrated, where the acquisition/display entity 115 showsinformation associated with an asset 10 (and/or the improved conveyingmechanism 802) according to various embodiments. In the embodimentdepicted in FIG. 5, the acquisition/display entity 115 may comprise notonly one or more acquisition devices 410 (e.g., imaging devices) foracquiring information/data from an asset 10 and/or the improvedconveying mechanism 802 (as illustrated also in FIG. 10), but also adisplay 420 for showing information/data associated with the asset 10,as described in U.S. Publication No. 2015/0262348, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety. In one embodiment, each asset10 may include an item/shipment identifier, such as an alphanumericidentifier. Such item/shipment identifiers may be represented as text,barcodes, Aztec Codes, MaxiCodes, Data Matrices, Quick Response (QR)Codes, electronic representations, tags, character strings, and/or thelike. The unique item/shipment identifier (e.g., 123456789) may be usedby the carrier to identify and track the item as it moves through thecarrier's transportation network. Further, such item/shipmentidentifiers can be affixed to items by, for example, using a sticker(e.g., label) with the unique item/shipment identifier printed thereon(in human and/or machine readable form) or an RFID tag with the uniqueitem/shipment identifier stored therein.

As shown, the one or more acquisition devices 410 may be configured foracquiring asset identifier data and/or conveyor belt data (see also FIG.11, Step 901) (including item/shipment identifiers and/or capture of asubset of the unique pattern of colored stripes 808 (see FIG. 16B) uponwhich the asset 10 is located) for one or more acquisition zones 401positioned in front of one or more work zones 405. The acquisitiondevices 410 may communicate this data to the control system 100 (FIG.2). Thus, an item traveling on a conveying mechanism 402 (FIG. 5) or animproved conveying mechanism 802 (FIG. 10) (e.g., conveyor belt, slide,chute, bottle conveyor, open or enclosed track conveyor, I-beamconveyor, cleated conveyor, and/or the like) can pass through anacquisition zone 401 prior to entering an intake location 450. Certaindata associated with the item or asset—along with certain dataassociated with, for instance, one or more characteristics of theimproved conveying mechanism itself—may be thus captures in theacquisition zone 401.

Acquisition of data in the acquisition zone 401 may, in certainembodiments, always occur upstream (see FIGS. 5 and 10 alike), namelyprior to the asset 10 or item entering an intake location 450 wherepersonnel or users of the systems described herein may be tasked withsorting the asset or item. However, as will be understood by one skilledin the art, the acquisition zone 401 may at least partially overlap theintake location 450 such that an asset 10 may reside in both theacquisition zone 401 and intake location 450 simultaneously. In variousembodiments, the acquisition zone 401 and intake location 450 may besubstantially the same size and shape. However, as will be understood byone skilled in the art, the acquisition zone 401 and intake location 450may be of different sizes and/or shapes. In various embodiments, theacquisition device 410 can be positioned substantially above theconveying mechanism 402 or the improved conveying mechanism 802.However, the acquisition device 410 may be located at any other positionin relation to the conveying mechanism 402 or the improved conveyingmechanism 802, such as substantially above and adjacent to an edge ofthe conveying mechanism 402 or the improved conveying mechanism 802.

In certain embodiments, the acquisition device 410 may include or beassociated with one or more imaging devices configured to capture images(e.g., image data) of assets 10 (and/or item/shipment identifiers)moving along the conveying mechanism 402 and/or to capture images (e.g.,image data) of various subsets of the unique pattern of colored stripes808 provided on the improved conveying mechanism 802. For example, theacquisition device 410 may include or be associated with a video camera,camcorder, still camera, web camera, Single-Lens Reflex (SLR) camera,high-speed camera, and/or the like. In various embodiments, theacquisition device 410 may be configured to record high-resolution imagedata (e.g., images comprising at least 480 horizontal scan lines) and/orto capture image data at a high speed (e.g., utilizing a frame rate ofat least 60 frames per second). Alternatively, the acquisition device410 may be configured to record low-resolution image data (e.g., imagescomprising less than 480 horizontal scan lines) and/or to capture imagedata at a low speed (e.g., utilizing a frame rate less than 60 framesper second). As will be understood by those skilled in the art, theacquisition device 410 may be configured to operate with variouscombinations of the above features (e.g., capturing images with lessthan 480 horizontal scan lines and utilizing a frame rate of at least 60frames per second, or capturing images with at least 480 horizontal scanlines and utilizing a frame rate less than 60 frames per second).

In various embodiments, the acquisition device 410 may be configured tocapture image data of the assets 10 and conveying mechanism 402 ofsufficient quality that a user viewing the image data on the display 420can identify each asset 10 represented in the displayed image data. Inother embodiments, the acquisition device 410 may be configured tocapture image data of various subsets of the unique pattern of coloredstripes 808 (see FIG. 16B) on the improved conveying mechanism 802relative to the assets 10 of sufficient quality that the control system100 may accurately and efficiently associate the image data—and thus theunique pattern of colored stripes immediately adjacent and/or under eachasset with respective assets. Still further, in embodiments wherein theconveying mechanism 402 and assets 10 are moving at a high rate ofspeed, the acquisition device 410 may be configured to capture imagedata at a high speed. The image data can be captured in or converted toa variety of formats, such as Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG),Motion JPEG (MJPEG), Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG), GraphicsInterchange Format (GIF), Portable Network Graphics (PNG), Tagged ImageFile Format (TIFF), bitmap (BMP), H.264, H.263, Flash Video (FLV),Hypertext Markup Language 5 (HTML5), VP6, VP8, and/or the like. Incertain embodiments, various features (e.g., text, objects of interest,codes, item/shipment identifiers, and/or the like) can be extracted fromthe image data.

While in at least one embodiment the acquisition device 410 isimage-based only, the acquisition device 410 may additionally oralternatively include or be associated with one or more scanners,readers, interrogators, and similar words used herein interchangeablyconfigured for capturing item indicia for each asset 10 (e.g., includingitem/shipment identifiers). For example, the scanners may include abarcode scanner, an RFID reader, and/or the like configured to recognizeand identify item/shipment identifiers associated with each asset 10. Inone embodiment, the acquisition device 410 may be capable of receivingvisible light, infrared light, radio transmissions, and othertransmissions capable of transmitting information to the acquisitiondevice 410. Similarly, the acquisition device 410 may include or be usedin association with various lighting, such as light emitting diodes(LEDs), Infrared lights, array lights, strobe lights, and/or otherlighting mechanisms to sufficiently illuminate the zones of interest tocapture image data for analysis. These capabilities may be, for example,provided as a “fail-safe” so as to ensure that the optical imagingcapabilities (detailed previously herein) configured to capture and/orotherwise monitor the unique pattern of colored stripes 808 on theimproved conveying mechanism 802 are sufficiently accurate.

In various embodiments, information associated with items can bepresented via a display 420. The display 420 may take a variety offorms, such as a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), a Liquid Crystal onSilicon (LCoS) display, an Active Matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode(AMOLED) display, a Digital Light Processing (DLP) display, a plasmadisplay, a Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) display, a projected laser, anelectronic ink display, and/or the like. The display 420 may be indirect communication with the acquisition device 410 or may beindirectly in communication with the acquisition device through thecontrol system 100 (FIG. 2). The display 420 may be configured fordirect viewing, rear projection onto a surface, or front projection ontoa surface. For example, in some embodiments, the display 420 may projectimages directly on or proximate to the assets 10, as described in U.S.Pat. No. 7,090,134, which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

The display 420 may be fixed in a particular location, it may be movableto various locations, or it may be wearable by a user (see FIG. 4). Invarious embodiments, the display 420 may display images using ablack-and-white display, a grey-scale display, and/or a color display.The displayed information may be correlated to the specific assets 10,or may be general information unrelated to the specific assets 10 (e.g.,information related to the non-repeating pattern of stripes, or thelike). The displayed information, for instance, may be in the form ofsorting instructions informing a user located near the intake location450 how each asset 10 should be processed or handled, the source of anasset 10, and/or the like. Alternatively, the displayed information maycomprise information regarding the volume of assets 10 on the conveyingmechanism (402, 802), or information regarding upcoming scheduled userbreaks (e.g., a lunch break). As will be recognized, a variety of otherapproaches and techniques can be used to adapt to various needs andcircumstances. Similar to the controller system 100 described above, inone embodiment, the acquisition/display entity 115 may also include oneor more communications interfaces for communicating with variouscomputing entities, such as by communicating data, content, information,and/or similar terms used herein interchangeably that can betransmitted, received, operated on, processed, displayed, stored, and/orthe like. Such communication may be executed using a wired datatransmission protocol, such as FDDI, DSL, Ethernet, ATM, frame relay,DOCSIS, or any other wired transmission protocol. Similarly, theacquisition/display entity 115 may be configured to communicate viawireless external communication networks using any of a variety ofprotocols, such as GPRS, UMTS, CDMA2000, 1×RTT, WCDMA, TD-SCDMA, LTE,E-UTRAN, EVDO, HSPA, HSDPA, Wi-Fi, WiMAX, UWB, IR protocols, NFCprotocols, Bluetooth' protocols, wireless USB protocols, and/or anyother wireless protocol.

As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the system mayinclude more than one acquisition device 410 and/or display 420 and/orany combination thereof. In various embodiments, one or more additionalacquisition devices may be used to capture additional image data at oneor more additional acquisition zones located on the conveying mechanisms402/802 or an additional conveying mechanism. Such additionalacquisition devices may be located, for example, after the flow of itemsalong the conveying mechanism 402/802 is disturbed (e.g., the flow ofassets 10 is culled, merged with an additional flow of assets 10, ordiverted to an additional conveying mechanism). Alternatively, one ormore additional acquisition devices may be located along the conveyingmechanism 402, 802 after the intake location 450, such that the one ormore additional acquisition devices may capture updated image data afterone or more of the assets 10 may have been removed from the conveyingmechanism 402, 802. In various embodiments, the one or more additionalacquisition devices may include components substantially similar to theacquisition device 410. For example, the one or more additionalacquisition devices may include or be associated with one or moreimaging devices and one or more scanners, readers, interrogators, andsimilar words used herein interchangeably, as described above in regardsto the acquisition device 410. However, the one or more additionalacquisition devices may include fewer components than acquisition device410. For example, the one or more additional acquisition devices may notinclude a scanner, reader, interrogator, or similar words used herein,and may be configured to receive item identifiers from the acquisitiondevice 410.

In various embodiments, one or more additional displays may be locatedsuch that they are visible from one or more additional work zones (e.g.,an additional work zone located on the conveying mechanism after theintake location 450). The one or more additional displays may besubstantially similar to the display 420. For example, the one or moreadditional displays may be configured to display image data to anadditional user sorting items at an additional sorting location. The oneor more additional displays may be configured to display the image datacaptured by the acquisition device 410, or may be configured to presentthe updated image data captured by one or more additional acquisitiondevices.

FIGS. 6A and 6B and FIGS. 7A and 7B show exemplary schematics showingthe intake location 450 and a display 420 at particular points in time.As shown in FIG. 6A, the intake location 450 contains four assets 10moving along the conveying mechanism 402 (by analogy also relative tothe improved conveying mechanism 802) with a certain orientation. At thesame time, the display 420 may be configured to present captured imagedata (e.g., video) containing representations of the same four assets 10with corresponding display features 451 as shown in FIG. 6B. In theembodiment depicted in FIG. 6B, the display features 451 may be utilizedto convey additional information to a user 5 (FIG. 8) related to (e.g.,assigned to) the asset 10. For example, as shown in FIG. 6B, the displayfeatures 451 indicate different designations for each of the assets 10,depicted as “3A,” “4A,” and “4B,” which may indicate different sortlocations 400 (FIG. 8) to which each of the assets 10 are to be placed.

FIG. 7A shows a second exemplary schematic of an intake location 450;however as shown in FIG. 7A, only one asset 10 is completely within theintake location 450 and two assets 10 are partially within the intakelocation 450. The corresponding display 420, shown in FIG. 7B, presentscaptured image data of the one full item and two partial itemscorresponding to each of the items 450 at least partially within theintake location 450 and corresponding display features 451 located on ornear each asset. Alternatively, the display 420 may incorporate apredetermined delay (e.g., 20 seconds), prior to presenting the imagedata (e.g., video) via the display 420. Additional details in thisrespect may be understood from U.S. Ser. No. 15/390,109, the contents ofwhich as are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

D. Exemplary Location Device

In various embodiments, one or more sort locations 400 may be associatedwith one or more location devices 415 configured for identifying one ormore assets 10 being sorted to each sort location 400. As non-limitingexamples, such sort locations 400 may include one or more vehicles(e.g., aircraft, tractor-trailer, cargo container, local deliveryvehicles, and/or the like), pallets, identified areas within a building,bins, chutes, conveyor belts, shelves, and/or the like. The one or morelocation devices 415 may be attached to a sort location 400 or locatedwithin a sort location 400. Alternatively the one or more locationdevices 415 may be located adjacent to a sort location 400 or otherwiseproximate the sort location 400. In various embodiments, a locationdevice 415 may be located proximate to an area designated to store thesort location 400. For example, when the sort location 400 includes adelivery vehicle, a location device 415 may be located above each of aplurality of parking areas designated for one or more delivery vehicles.

In various embodiments, the one or more location devices 415 may includecomponents functionally similar to the control system 100 and/or theuser device 110. As noted above in referencing the control system 100,the term “computing entity” may refer to, for example, one or morecomputers, computing entities, desktops, mobile phones, tablets,phablets, notebooks, laptops, distributed systems, gaming consoles(e.g., Xbox, Play Station, Wii), watches, glasses, key fobs, RFID tags,ear pieces, scanners, televisions, dongles, cameras, wristbands, kiosks,input terminals, servers or server networks, blades, gateways, switches,processing devices, processing entities, set-top boxes, relays, routers,network access points, base stations, the like, and/or any combinationof devices or entities adapted to perform the functions, operations,and/or processes described herein. Like the user device shownschematically in FIG. 3, the location device 415 can include an antenna,a transmitter (e.g., radio), a receiver (e.g., radio), and a processingelement (e.g., CPLDs, microprocessors, multi-core processors,co-processing entities, ASIPs, microcontrollers, and/or controllers)that provides signals to and receives signals from the transmitter andreceiver, respectively.

The signals provided to and received from the transmitter and thereceiver, respectively, may include signaling information in accordancewith air interface standards of applicable wireless systems. In thisregard, the location device 415 may be capable of operating with one ormore air interface standards, communication protocols, modulation types,and access types. More particularly, the location device 415 may operatein accordance with any of a number of wireless communication standardsand protocols, such as those described above with regard to the controlsystem 100. In a particular embodiment, the location device 415 mayoperate in accordance with multiple wireless communication standards andprotocols, such as UMTS, CDMA2000, 1×RTT, WCDMA, TD-SCDMA, LTE, E-UTRAN,EVDO, HSPA, HSDPA, Wi-Fi, WiMAX, UWB, IR, NFC, Bluetooth', USB, and/orthe like. Similarly, the location device 415 may operate in accordancewith multiple wired communication standards and protocols, such as thosedescribed above with regard to the control system 100 via a networkinterface.

Via these communication standards and protocols, the location device 415can communicate with various other entities (e.g., the user device 110)using concepts such as USSD, SMS, MMS, DTMF, and/or SIM dialer. Thelocation device 415 can also download changes, add-ons, and updates, forinstance, to its firmware, software (e.g., including executableinstructions, applications, program modules), and operating system.

According to one embodiment, the location device 415 may include alocation determining aspect, device, module, functionality, and/orsimilar words used herein interchangeably. For example, the locationdevice 415 may include outdoor positioning aspects, such as a locationmodule adapted to acquire, for example, latitude, longitude, geocode,course, direction, heading, speed, UTC, date, and/or various otherinformation/data. In one embodiment, the location module can acquiredata, sometimes known as ephemeris data, by identifying the number ofsatellites in view and the relative positions of those satellites. Thesatellites may be a variety of different satellites, including LEOsatellite systems, DOD satellite systems, the European Union Galileopositioning systems, the Chinese Compass navigation systems, IndianRegional Navigational satellite systems, and/or the like. Alternatively,the location information may be determined by triangulating the locationdevice 415's position in connection with a variety of other systems,including cellular towers, Wi-Fi access points, and/or the like.Similarly, the location device 415 may include indoor positioningaspects, such as a location module adapted to acquire, for example,latitude, longitude, geocode, course, direction, heading, speed, time,date, and/or various other information/data. Some of the indoor systemsmay use various position or location technologies including RFID tags,indoor beacons or transmitters, Wi-Fi access points, cellular towers,nearby computing devices (e.g., smartphones, laptops) and/or the like.For instance, such technologies may include the iBeacons, Gimbalproximity beacons, BLE transmitters, NFC transmitters, and/or the like.These indoor positioning aspects can be used in a variety of settings todetermine the location of someone or something to within inches orcentimeters.

The location device 415 can also include volatile storage or memoryand/or non-volatile storage or memory, which can be embedded and/or maybe removable. For example, the non-volatile memory may be ROM, PROM,EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory, MMCs, SD memory cards, Memory Sticks,CBRAM, PRAM, FeRAM, NVRAM, MRAM, RRAM, SONOS, FJG RAM, Millipede memory,racetrack memory, and/or the like. The volatile memory may be RAM, DRAM,SRAM, FPM DRAM, EDO DRAM, SDRAM, DDR SDRAM, DDR2 SDRAM, DDR3 SDRAM,RDRAM, TTRAM, T-RAM, Z-RAM, RIMM, DIMM, SIMM, VRAM, cache memory,register memory, and/or the like. The volatile and non-volatile storageor memory can store databases, database instances, database managementsystems, data, applications, programs, program modules, scripts, sourcecode, object code, byte code, compiled code, interpreted code, machinecode, executable instructions, and/or the like to implement thefunctions of the location device 415. As indicated, this may include auser application that is resident on the entity or accessible through abrowser or other user interface for communicating with the controlsystem 100, user device 110, and/or various other computing entities.

In another embodiment, the location device 415 may include one or morecomponents or functionality that are the same or similar to those of thecontrol system 100 or user device 110, as described in greater detailabove. As will be recognized, these architectures and descriptions areprovided for exemplary purposes only and are not limiting to the variousembodiments. Additional details in this respect may be understood fromU.S. Ser. No. 15/390,109, the contents of which as are incorporatedherein by reference in their entirety.

E. Exemplary Sort Location

Referring to FIG. 9, an exemplary sort location 400 is schematicallydepicted. As described above, the sort location 400 may include mayinclude one or more vehicles (e.g., aircraft, tractor-trailer, cargocontainer, local delivery vehicles, and/or the like), pallets,identified areas within a building, bins, chutes, conveyor belts,shelves, and/or the like. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 9, the sortlocation 400 includes a plurality of shelves 450 onto which the assets10 may be placed. While FIG. 9 depicts the plurality of shelves 450 asbeing stacked in a vertical direction, it should be understood that theshelves 450 may be arranged in any suitable configuration to hold theassets 10. Each of the shelves 450 include one or more visual indicators452 positioned on or proximate to the shelves 450. The visual indicators452, much like the visual indicators 810 of the conveyor belt assembly800 may assist in identifying an appropriate position for placement ofthe asset 10 within the sort location, as described in U.S. Pat. No.9,156,628, which is incorporated herein in its entirety. In particularembodiments, for example, a user 5 (FIG. 8) may utilize the indiciareader of the user device 110 to scan, read, or otherwise receive assetidentifier data from the asset 10 to identify, in cooperation with thecontrol system 100, an appropriate position for placement of the asset10 within the sort location 400. In other embodiments, the controlsystem 100 may determine the appropriate position for placement of theasset within the sort location 400 and convey that information to theuser device 110 in response to the user device having recognized aunique pattern of stripes on the improved conveyor mechanism 802 andqueried the control system regarding the same, as will be detailedelsewhere herein.

Still further, the control system 100 may determine the appropriateposition for placement of the asset 10 within the sort location 400based on a variety of factors. For example and without limitation, thecontrol system 100 may determine the appropriate position for placementof the asset 10 within the sort location 400 based on the destination ofthe assets 10. When the sort location 400 includes a vehicle, such as adelivery truck, the assets 10 may be placed within the sort location 400based on the order in which the assets 10 will be unloaded anddelivered. In some embodiments, the control system 100 may identify anasset 10 designated for special or expedited handling (sometimesreferred to as a “hot pull”) based on the asset identifier data, and thecontrol system 100 may determine placement of the asset 10 to facilitateeasy access to the asset 10 in the sort location 400 to allow expeditedhandling. In some embodiments, the control system 100 may utilize analgorithm based on the attributes of the asset (such as the size and/orshape of the asset 10) to determine the placement of the asset 10 withinthe sort location 400 to optimize space and stability of the assets 10within the sort location. One example of an algorithm to determine theplacement of assets within the sort location 400 is described in U.S.Pat. No. 5,908,283, which is incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety.

When the control system 100 identifies the appropriate position for theasset 10 within the sort location 400, the control system 100 maycommand one or more of the visual indicators 452 to provide a visualindication (e.g., by illuminating the visual indicator 452) of theappropriate location for the asset 10. Once the asset 10 is positionedin the appropriate location on the shelf 450, the user 5 (FIG. 8) mayutilize the user device 110 to send a signal to the control system 100that the asset 10 has been placed in the appropriate location.Alternatively, the sort location 400 may include a user interface, suchas a keyboard, a touchscreen, or the like, that the user 5 maycommunicate with the control system 100 that the asset 10 has beenplaced in the appropriate location. In some embodiments, the sortlocation 400 may include one or more sensors, such as a light sensor,proximity sensor, or the like, configured to detect the presence of anasset 10 within the sort location 400, and the sensors may send a signalto the control system 100 when the asset 10 has been placed into theappropriate location. Additional details in this respect may beunderstood from U.S. Ser. No. 15/390,109, the contents of which as areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

It should be understood that according to various embodiments, thevisual indicators 452/810 may be computer-generated and/or overlaid overan augmented reality environment, which may in certain embodiments bedisplayed to the user via utilized user devices 110 (e.g., glasses wornby the user; see FIG. 4). FIGS. 15A-F illustrate exemplary visualindicators 452/810 that may be utilized. In FIG. 15F, an augmentedreality environment 1006, including a conveying mechanism 402/802 and asort location 400, is displayed. With reference to FIGS. 15A-B, aspreviously described, certain of the visual indicators 810 generated mayconvey to a user 5 standing adjacent the conveying mechanism 402/802 a“push forward” (or let pass) indicator 1001 or “push to the other side”indicator 1002, instructing movement of assets 10 not identified forassociation with and sorting by that particular user. FIG. 15C, incontrast, illustrates an exemplary visual indicator 810 conveying to auser 5 that the asset 10 with which the indicator is associated isselected for “pick and sort” 1003 by that particular user. In theillustrated embodiment of FIG. 15C, the “pick and sort” indicator 1003is illustrated as being positioned beside the asset; in otherembodiments, however (see FIG. 10) the visual indicators 810 may bepositioned atop or otherwise substantially overhead of each asset 10.

Relative specifically to the exemplary sort location 400 of FIG. 9,FIGS. 15D-E illustrate exemplary visual indicators 452 that might beoverlaid in an augmented reality environment according to variousembodiments. FIG. 15D, in particular, illustrates a plurality of “lookthat way” indicators 1004 that may be configured to guide the user 5toward the correct sort location for a held asset. FIG. 15E, by way ofcomparison, illustrates a “sort here” indicator 1005, so as to convey tothe user 5 the correct sorting location.

Although FIGS. 15A-F illustrate the various exemplary visual indicators452/810 therein as red or green arrows and/or a green placard containingsome portion of asset data printed thereon (see FIG. 15E), it should beunderstood that any of a variety of indicators—color or not—may beprovided, so long as each are configured to, via the augmented reality(e.g., a mixed reality or hybrid reality) environment 1006 describedherein to guide the user 5 utilizing a user device 110 as describedherein to the proper sort location for respective assets 10. In at leastone embodiment, a floating green sphere that signals the correctlocation may be provided; in another embodiment, a white frame withgreen corners that highlight the correct location may be provided. Instill other embodiments, any indicator configured to simplistically andsuccinctly convey correct location data may be utilized.

IV. EXEMPLARY CONTROL SYSTEM CONFIGURATION

In various embodiments, the control system 100 may comprise a pluralityof modules, each module configured to perform at least a portion of thefunctions associated with the methods described herein. For example, thecontrol system 100 may comprise an acquisition module, a sort locationmodule, a matching module, and a notification module. Although describedherein as being individual components of the control system 100, thevarious modules may operate on a combination of one or more devices(e.g., the acquisition/display device 115, the user device 110, thelocation device 415, and/or the control system 100), such that eachdevice performs the functions of one or more modules.

A. Acquisition Module

In various embodiments, the acquisition module may be configured toobtain asset identifier data and/or conveyor belt data regarding and/orassociated with an asset 10 to be sorted. In various embodiments, theasset identifier data may comprise a unique asset identifier such as atracking number or code, and data defining the one or more appropriatesort locations 400 for the asset 10 as it moves between an origin and adestination, and/or the like. In various embodiments, the conveyor beltdata may comprise at least a portion of a unique pattern of coloredstripes 808 (see FIG. 16B) provided on the conveying mechanism 802,whereby capture of the unique pattern of colored stripes immediatelysurrounding (and under) the asset 10 occurs as the asset 10 movesbetween an origin and a destination, and/or the like.

As a non-limiting example, the acquisition module may be configured toobtain data from the user device 110 (FIGS. 3 and 4) and/or theacquisition device 410 (FIG. 5). In various embodiments, the datareceived from the user device 110 (FIGS. 3 and 4) and/or the acquisitiondevice 410 (FIG. 5) may include the entirety of the asset identifierdata and therefore the acquisition module need only receive assetidentifier data from one of the user device 110 (FIGS. 3 and 4) and/orthe acquisition device 410 (FIG. 5). However, in various embodiments,the data received from the user device 110 (FIGS. 3 and 4) and/or theacquisition device 410 (FIG. 5) may comprise only a portion of the assetidentifier data, and the acquisition module may be configured to obtainthe remainder of the asset identifier data from one or more othersources. As a non-limiting example, the acquisition module may beconfigured to search one or more databases in communication with thecontrol system 100 for asset identifier data corresponding to the datareceived from the user device 110 (FIGS. 3 and 4) and/or the acquisitiondevice 410 (FIG. 5). The acquisition module may additionally beconfigured to receive and store at least a portion of the assetidentifier data corresponding to the asset 10 that is stored in one ormore databases.

In various embodiments, the acquisition module may be configured totransmit at least a portion of the asset identifier data to one or moredevices (e.g., the user device 110, the location device 415, the display420, and/or the control system 100) and/or one or more modules (e.g.,the sort location module, the matching module, and/or the notificationmodule). Moreover, upon receiving the asset identifier data regarding anasset 10 to be sorted, the acquisition module may be configured to linkor otherwise associate the user device 110 and the asset identifierdata. As will be described in greater detail herein, the user device 110may be associated with the asset identifier data by storing at least aportion of the asset identifier data in a memory associated with theuser device 110.

As mentioned, the acquisition module may be configured to, in additionto asset identifier data, also obtain conveyor belt data, the lattercomprising a visual image capture of at least a portion of the uniquepattern of colored stripes 808 provided on the conveying mechanism 802.In those embodiments that the acquisition module is so configured, themodule may be additionally configured to associate the captured portionof the unique pattern of colored stripes 808 with the captured/obtainedasset identifier data, such that the asset 10 is associated with orotherwise “assigned to” the captured portion of the pattern. In thismanner, as described elsewhere herein, the user device 110 may beconfigured to recognize only portions of the pattern and therefromidentify an asset associated therewith, as previously captured via theacquisition device 415.

B. Sort Location Module

The sort location module may be configured to receive asset identifierdata from the acquisition module. The sort location module is configuredto ascertain the appropriate sort location 400 and/or the appropriateposition within the sort location 400 for the asset 10 based at least inpart on the asset identifier data. In certain embodiments, the sortlocation module may be configured to determine the appropriate sortlocation 400 based at least in part on the asset identifier data andsort location data that is associated with the each of the plurality ofsort locations 400. The sort location data may be generated based notonly upon the asset identifier data, but also upon associated conveyorbelt data.

In various embodiments, each of the plurality of sort locations 400 maybe identified by sort location data, which may include a unique sortlocation identifier. The unique sort location identifier may comprise aunique character string individually identifying each of the pluralityof sort locations 400. In various embodiments, the sort location datamay define any subsequent processing to be performed on assets 10 withineach sort location 400, and may comprise the unique sort locationidentifier for each of the plurality of sort locations 400 the assets 10will pass through. In various embodiments, the sort location module maydetermine whether the processing to be performed on assets 10 in each ofthe plurality of sort locations 400 (as defined in the sort locationdata) will move the asset 10 closer to its final destination. In variousembodiments, the sort location module may determine whether theprocessing steps to be performed on the assets 10 in each of the sortlocations 400 complies with the service level (e.g., Same Day shipping,Next Day Air, Second Day Air, 3 Day Select, Ground shipping, and/or thelike) corresponding to the asset 10. As a non-limiting example, the sortlocation module may determine the appropriate sort location for an asset10 to be delivered to 123 Main Street, Atlanta, Ga. is a deliveryvehicle that will deliver other assets 10 to the same address or nearbyaddresses (e.g., along the same delivery route). As a secondnon-limiting example, the sort location module may determine theappropriate sort location for an asset 10 to be delivered to 345 BroadStreet, Los Angeles, Calif. via Next Day Delivery is a pallet to beloaded onto a plane destined for Los Angeles, Calif.

After determining the appropriate sort location 400 and/or theappropriate position for the asset 10 within the sort location 400, thesort location module may be configured to transmit data defining theappropriate sort location 400 and/or the appropriate position for theasset 10 within the sort location 400 to one or more devices (e.g., theuser device 110, the display 420, the visual indicator 452, the locationdevice 415, and/or the control system 100) and/or modules (e.g., thematching module and/or the notification module). Additional details inthis respect are provided in U.S. Ser. No. 15/390,109, the contents ofwhich as are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

C. Matching Module

The matching module may be configured to receive asset identifier dataand/or conveyor belt data from the acquisition module and/or the sortlocation module, and may be configured to receive data defining theappropriate sort location from the sort location module. Moreover, thematching module may be configured to receive data indicating the userdevice 110 (and consequently the asset 10) is proximate a first sortlocation 400. In various embodiments and referring to FIG. 5, the userdevice 110 and/or one or more location devices 415 may determine thatthe user device 110 is within a communication area 405 corresponding tothe one or more location devices 415, and is therefore proximate to thefirst sort location 400 corresponding to the one or more locationdevices 415. As a non-limiting example, each of the one or more locationdevices 415 may be embodied as a wireless beacon broadcasting a signalindicating the identity of the associated sort location. In variousembodiments, each sort location may be associated with a plurality ofsuch location devices 415. The user device 110 may be configured toreceive the wireless signals broadcast from the plurality of locationdevices 415 and determine whether the received signal satisfies one ormore signal criteria. For example, the user device 110 may determinewhether the signal received from each of the plurality of locationdevices 415 satisfies a predetermined signal strength threshold and/ormay determine whether wireless signals are received from at least aminimum number of location devices 415 broadcasting data regarding asingle sort location. Upon a determination that the signal received fromthe plurality of location devices 415 satisfies each of the signalcriteria, the user device 110 may transmit asset identity data and sortlocation identity data to the matching module to determine whether theuser device 110 is proximate the appropriate sort location for theasset.

Upon determining the user device 110 is proximate a first sort location400, at least one of the user device 110 and the one or more locationdevices 415 may transmit data indicating the user device 110 isproximate the first sort location 400 to the matching module. The dataindicating that the user device 110 is proximate the first sort location400 may also be indicative of the identity of the first sort location400 (e.g., the data may comprise the unique sort location identifiercorresponding to the first sort location 400). The matching module maybe configured to determine whether the first sort location 400 is theappropriate sort location based at least in part on the received datadefining the appropriate sort location.

In various embodiments, the matching module may be configured totransmit data indicating whether the first sort location 400 is theappropriate sort location to one or more devices (the user device 110and/or the one or more location devices 415) and/or one or more modules(e.g., the notification module). For example, upon a determination thatthe proximate sort location 400 is the appropriate sort location, thematching module may generate and transmit confirmation data to thenotification module for additional processing. Alternatively, upon adetermination that the proximate sort location 400 is not theappropriate sort location, the matching module may generate and transmitmistake data to the notification module for additional processing.

In various embodiments, the matching module may additionally beconfigured to link and/or associate the asset identifier data and thesort location identifier data corresponding to the sort location 400 atwhich the asset is deposited. As a non-limiting example, the assetidentifier data may be updated to reflect the link between the assetidentifier data and the sort location identifier data. Alternatively,the sort location identifier data may be updated to reflect each of theassets associated with the sort location 400. As described herein, thematching module may be configured to link the asset identifier data andthe sort location identifier data upon the occurrence of a triggeringevent, as will be described in greater detail herein.

To link and/or associate the asset identifier data and the sort locationidentifier data corresponding to the sort location 400 at which theasset it deposited, the matching module may receive at least a portionof the asset identifier data and at least a portion of the location dataand associate these data in, for example, one or more databases. Aspreviously noted, however, the matching module may be configured toassociate the asset identifier data and the sort location data byupdating at least one of the asset identifier data or the sort locationdata to reflect the association. Again, the updated data may be storedin one or more databases. Additional details in this respect areprovided in U.S. Ser. No. 15/390,109, the contents of which as arehereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

D. Notification Module

In various embodiments, the notification module may receive dataindicating whether the first sort location 400 is the appropriate sortlocation from the matching module. As described herein, the notificationmodule may cause one or more alerts to be generated in order to notifythe user 5 (e.g., sort personnel) whether the asset 10 should bedeposited in the first sort location 400. For example, the notificationmodule may be configured to transmit confirmation data and/or mistakedata to the user device 110, the display 420, and/or the one or morelocation devices 415 in order to cause at least one of the devices togenerate an alert discernible by the user 5 (e.g., sort personnel)indicative of the appropriate sort location for the asset 10. Toascertain whether confirmation data and/or mistake data is appropriatefor transmission, the user device 110 (and/or sensors associatedtherewith, e.g., three-dimensional sensors) may be configured todetermine not only the position of the asset but also the position ofthe user's hands (e.g., including not only location, but also gestures),so as to gauge whether or not sorting of the asset is proceedingproperly.

In various embodiments, the notification module may cause the userdevice 110 to display a confirmation message upon a determination thatthe first sort location 400 is the appropriate sort location. Asnon-limiting examples, the confirmation message may indicate that thefirst sort location 400 is the appropriate sort location, or theconfirmation message may indicate that an asset has been deposited atthe appropriate sort location 400. Alternatively, the notificationmodule may cause a light located near the first sort location 400 toilluminate upon a determination that the first sort location 400 is theappropriate sort location 400. As yet another non-limiting example, thenotification module may cause the user device 110 to display a messageupon a determination that the first sort location 400 is not theappropriate sort location 400. Similarly, the notification module maycause a light located near the first sort location 400 to illuminateupon a determination that the proximate sort location 400 is not theappropriate sort location. In various embodiments, the notificationmodule may cause one or more sounds to be generated, one or more lightsto illuminate, one or more mechanical assemblies to move, and/or otherprocesses discernible by a user 5 to operate and thus indicate to theuser 5 whether the first sort location 400 is the appropriate sortlocation.

Moreover, the notification module may be configured to generate an alertafter associating asset identifier data with location data. Thenotification module may be configured to generate an alert to inform theuser 5 (e.g., sort personnel) or other users regarding asset identifierdata being associated with location data. As a non-limiting example, thenotification module may be configured to cause a message to be displayedvia the user device 110 and/or the display 420 in order to notify theuser 5 that asset identifier data corresponding to an asset 10 has beenassociated with location data corresponding to a sort location. Thus,the notification module may facilitate a determination that assetidentifier data has been incorrectly associated with location data, andmay therefore facilitate the correction of an inappropriate association.For example, based upon the generated alert, the user 5 may determinethat the asset identification data was incorrectly associated with alocation data corresponding to a first sort location 400. Additionaldetails in this respect are provided in U.S. Ser. No. 15/390,109, thecontents of which as are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

According to various embodiments, whether adjacent a sort location 400or a conveying mechanism 802, the notification module may be configuredto generate one or more visual indicators 452/810 to convey sortinginstructions to the user 5. It should be understood that according tovarious embodiments, the visual indicators 452/810 may becomputer-generated and/or overlaid over an augmented realityenvironment, which may in certain embodiments be displayed to the uservia utilized user devices 110 (e.g., glasses worn by the user; see FIG.4). FIGS. 15A-F illustrate exemplary visual indicators 452/810 that maybe utilized. In FIG. 15F, an augmented reality environment 1006,including a conveying mechanism 402/802 and a sort location 400, isdisplayed. With reference to FIGS. 15A-B, as previously described,certain of the visual indicators 810 generated may convey to a user 5standing adjacent the conveying mechanism 402/802 a “push forward” (orlet pass) indicator 1001 or “push to the other side” indicator 1002,instructing movement of assets 10 not identified for association withand sorting by that particular user. FIG. 15C, in contrast, illustratesan exemplary visual indicator 810 conveying to a user 5 that the asset10 with which the indicator is associated is selected for “pick andsort” 1003 by that particular user. In the illustrated embodiment ofFIG. 15C, the “pick and sort” indicator 1003 is illustrated as beingpositioned beside the asset; in other embodiments, however (see FIG. 10)the visual indicators 810 may be positioned atop or otherwisesubstantially overhead of each asset 10.

Relative specifically to the exemplary sort location 400 of FIG. 9,FIGS. 15D-E illustrate exemplary visual indicators 452 that might beoverlaid in an augmented reality environment according to variousembodiments. FIG. 15D, in particular, illustrates a plurality of “lookthat way” indicators 1004 that may be configured to guide the user 5toward the correct sort location for a held asset. FIG. 15E, by way ofcomparison, illustrates a “sort here” indicator 1005, so as to convey tothe user 5 the correct sorting location.

Additionally, although FIGS. 15A-F illustrate the various exemplaryvisual indicators 452/810 therein as red or green arrows and/or a greenplacard containing some portion of asset data printed thereon (see FIG.15E), it should be understood that any of a variety of indicators—coloror not—may be provided, so long as each are configured to, via theaugmented reality environment 1006 described herein to guide the user 5utilizing

V. EXEMPLARY SYSTEM OPERATION

A. Exemplary Acquisition Device Operation

FIGS. 5, 10, and 15F illustrate an exemplary environment in which assets10 are moved from an intake location 450 (e.g., an unsorted location) toone or more sort locations 400. In various embodiments, a user 5 (e.g.,sort personnel) may utilize a user device 110 as described herein whiletransporting assets 10 from an intake location 450 to one or more sortlocations 400. As described herein, the user device 110 may beconfigured for receiving information regarding a particular asset 10 tobe sorted, and for informing the user 5 whether the asset 10 is beingsorted to the appropriate sort location.

FIG. 11 illustrates exemplary steps carried out by the acquisitiondevice 115 according to various embodiments of the present invention. Asillustrated in FIG. 11, the acquisition device 115 may be configured toreceive at Block 901 asset identifier data associated with an asset 10to be sorted and conveyor belt data related to a unique pattern ofcolored stripes 808 adjacent and/or surrounding the asset on theconveying mechanism 802. In various embodiments, the acquisition device115 may scan, read, image, or otherwise obtain/capture the assetidentifier data from the asset 10; the conveyor belt data may beobtained generally via an imaging capability within the acquisitiondevice, as previously described herein.

As noted herein, the asset identifier data may be printed or otherwiseaffixed to the asset 10 to be sorted. In various embodiments, the userdevice 110 and/or the acquisition device 410 may receive assetidentifier data by, for example, reading an RFID tag associated with theasset 10, reading a bar code, QR code, character string, and/or symbolprinted on the asset 10 or otherwise associated with the asset 10,and/or otherwise obtaining asset identifier data regarding the asset 10to be sorted. The user device 110 may be configured to store the assetidentifier data in a memory associated with the user device for laterretrieval and use.

As noted above, in various embodiments, the asset identifier data maycomprise a unique asset identifier, such as a tracking code or otherunique identifier. Alternatively or additionally, the asset identifierdata may comprise origin identifying data (e.g., origin address, shipperidentity, and/or the like), destination identifying data (e.g.,destination address, recipient identity, and/or the like), service leveldata (e.g., Same Day shipping, Next Day Air, Second Day Air, 3 DaySelect, Ground shipping, and/or the like), and/or the like. As describedabove, the asset identifier data may additionally include indicationsdesignating an asset 10 for special or expedited handling. Moreover, invarious embodiments, the asset identifier data may comprise moredetailed data regarding the asset 10 to be sorted, such as sortlocations 400 for each intermediate shipping point. In variousembodiments, the asset identifier data may be updated at various timesduring the shipping process. For example, after determining anappropriate sort location 400 for the asset 10 to be sorted (a processdescribed in greater detail herein), the asset identifier data may beupdated to reflect the appropriate sort location 400. The assetidentifier data 400 may additionally be updated to reflect theappropriate position of the asset 10 within the sort location 400.Alternatively, the asset identifier data may be fixed after beingcreated, such that it is not updated with new and/or alternativeinformation during shipment.

As noted above, in various embodiments, the conveyor belt data maycomprise a unique pattern of colored stripes 808 (see also FIG. 16B)that may be provided upon the conveying mechanism 802. In certainembodiments, the unique pattern may be generated via utilization of acolor spectrum 806 containing at least seven distinct colors 806A-806G.By providing, for example, seven distinct colors, certain embodimentsprovide over 200 unique permutations (where groupings of colors arelimited to three stripes, as detailed previously herein) that may bereadable by the user device 110 at a distance of up to 94 meters(although such distance is typically not necessary). In this manner,though, the various embodiments provided herein eliminate the need for auser 5 utilizing the user device 110 to have to physically positionthemselves very close to the conveying mechanism 802 so as to be able toscan, read, or otherwise capture specific asset identifier data fromeach respective asset 10. Instead, from further distances, the userdevice 110 may capture only monitor for and recognize unique patterns ofstripes on the conveying mechanism 802, whereby upon recognition thereof(as detailed elsewhere herein) sort location data may be generatedwithout any scan of asset identifier data by the user device 110.

FIG. 16B illustrates an exemplary conveying mechanism 802 having thereona unique pattern of colored stripes 808. Subsets thereof (see 808A-808H)are also unique and may comprise sets of three, four, or even moreconsecutive stripes, as detailed elsewhere herein. At least a portion ofthe unique pattern 808—typically at least one of the subsets thereof(e.g., one of 808A-808H, whether a set of three or four or morestripes)—is that which is captured by the acquisition device in Block901. Specifically captured is that subset of the unique pattern (whichis also unique as a subset) that is surrounding (i.e., adjacent to andpassing underneath) the asset 10 for which asset identifier data isreceived

Returning now to FIG. 11, in Block 902, which the above-detailedcombination of asset identifier data and conveyor belt data, theacquisition device 115 proceeds to associate or otherwise somehow assignor correlate the asset identifier data with conveyor belt datacorresponding thereto (i.e., conveyor belt data surrounding, adjacent toand passing underneath, the location of the asset 10 on the conveyingmechanism 802). This associated set of data (asset and conveyor beltrelated alike) is transmitted to the control system 100 in Block 903. Incertain embodiments, the associated set of data may be transmitteddirectly from the acquisition device to the user device; however, inother embodiments—for example where multiple user devices may be beingutilized, transmission first to the control system enables properredistribution thereof via the control system, which may be centralized.

In certain embodiments wherein the acquisition device 115 includes notonly an acquisition element 410 but also a display element 420, theacquisition device 115 may be further configured to execute Blocks 904and 905. In at least these embodiments, upon receipt of appropriate sortlocation from the control system in Block 904, the acquisition devicemay be configured to generate appropriate sort location data in Block905 for display to a user 5. Such sort location data may becomputer-generated in the form of indicators or notifications,considering for example the visual indicators 452/810, along with thoseindicators 1001-1005 illustrated in FIGS. 15A-E. In other embodiments,however, the acquisition device 115 need not execute Blocks 904/905, asthe augmented reality environment—and the visual indicators and/orassociated notifications (visual, audible, or the like)—are generated ateach user device 110 and not at the acquisition device 115 (or morespecifically any display element 420 thereof).

B. Exemplary User Device Operation

FIGS. 5, 10, and 15F illustrate an exemplary environment in which assets10 are moved from an intake location 450 (e.g., an unsorted location) toone or more sort locations 400. In various embodiments, a user 5 (e.g.,sort personnel) may utilize a user device 110 as described herein whiletransporting assets 10 from an intake location 450 to one or more sortlocations 400. As described herein, the user device 110 may beconfigured for receiving information regarding a particular asset 10 tobe sorted, and for informing the user 5 whether the asset 10 is beingsorted to the appropriate sort location.

FIG. 12 illustrates exemplary steps carried out by the user device 110according to various embodiments of the present invention. Asillustrated in FIG. 11, the user device 110 may be configured to monitorand capture conveyor belt data associated with an asset 10 (yet to beidentified) to be sorted at Block 501. In various embodiments, the user5 may utilize an imaging component of the user device 110 to captureconveyor belt data—specifically a portion of the unique pattern ofcolored stripes, the portion or subset thereof also being unique, asdescribed elsewhere herein—surrounding (e.g., adjacent and passingunder) the asset 10. In Block 502 the user device 110 transmits thecaptured conveyor belt data to the control system 100, and in responsereceives in Block 503 from the control system appropriate sort location.As described elsewhere herein, the control system 100 is able to returnthe appropriate sort location in Block 503 due to an association madebetween the conveyor belt data and the asset identifier data captured bythe acquisition device 115 upstream of the user's utilization of theuser device 110 (see FIGS. 5 and 10).

In Block 504 of FIG. 12, the user device 110 is configured to generateappropriate sort location data. Alternatively or additionally, aspreviously described herein, a display element 420 of the acquisitiondevice may be configured to inform the user 5 of the appropriate sortlocation 400 for a particular asset 10 at Block 904. In thoseembodiments, though, where the user device 110 is user-worn, generationof appropriate sort location data occurs thereon, so as to provide auser-perspective augmented reality environment.

As a non-limiting example, the user device 110 may cause display of theappropriate sort location via the display 114 to the user 5 (e.g., sortpersonnel) or may audibly inform the user 5 of the appropriate sortlocation for the asset 10. In one embodiment, the display 114 of theuser device 110 (e.g., glasses) may display an indication of theappropriate sort location 400 shown superimposed over or positionedproximate to the asset 10. For example, upon receiving the appropriatesort location 400 from the control system 100, the user device 110 maydisplay an indication of the sort location 400 on the display 114. Insuch embodiments, the user device 110 may display the indication of thesort location 400 on the display 114 regardless of the FOV of the userdevice 110. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the presentation of theindication of the sort location 400 on the display 114 may be dependentupon a detected FOV of the user device 110. For example, as describedabove, the user device 110 may detect an asset 10 within its FOV. Upondetecting an asset 10 within the FOV of the user device 110, the localcomputer 120 of the user device 110 may generate an augmented reality(AR) image or layer for presentation on the display 114. The AR image orlayer may be based on the detection of the asset 10 by the user device110 and the received appropriate sort location 400 from the controlsystem 100. The user device 110 may then display the AR image or layeron the display 114 such that the sort location 400 is overlaid over orpositioned proximate to the asset 10 when the asset 10 is within the FOVof the user device 110.

In embodiments including the display 420 (FIG. 5), the indication of theappropriate sort location may be shown on the display 420 and/orprojected onto the asset 10. The displayed sort location 400 maycomprise a sort location identifier, such as a symbol, character string,and/or the like. Additionally, in various embodiments, informationindicative of the appropriate sort location may be printed on the asset10 (e.g., directly onto a surface of the asset 10, onto a sticker orother label secured to the asset 10, and/or the like). In variousembodiments, the user device 110 and/or the display 420 may not displaythe appropriate sort location for the asset 10, and accordingly the user5 may rely on the information printed on the asset 10 to determine theappropriate sort location. Accordingly, in such embodiments, afterreceiving asset identifier data as illustrated in Block 501 of FIG. 10,the user device may be configured to thereafter await receipt of sortlocation data as illustrated in Block 505. Additional details in thisrespect may be understood with reference to U.S. Ser. No. 15/390,109,the contents of which as are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

Returning momentarily to Blocks 501-504 collectively, although describedpreviously herein as a process whereby the user device 110 capturesconveyor belt data and transmits that to the control system, so as toreceive back from the control system an appropriate sort location, incertain embodiments, depending upon local storage and memory capacitiesof the user device, Block 502 may be eliminated. In at least theseembodiments, the user device 110 may receive sort location data, assetidentifier data, and conveyor belt data periodically (or in a nearreal-time manner) from the control system 100 without having to requestany of the same (i.e., by transmission of conveyor belt data). In thismanner, the user device 110 may be configured to simply monitor theconveying mechanism 802 and upon identification thereon of a uniquepattern of colored stripes 808, determine locally whether eachiteratively recognized pattern is associated (as previously done via thecontrol system 100) with a particular asset 10. If so, the user deviceflow proceeds to Block 504, generating appropriate sort location databased upon that data previously transmitted by the control system to theuser device.

Turning now to Block 505, the user 5 (e.g., sort personnel) maytransport the asset 10 and the user device 110 to a sort location 400.As the user 5 nears the sort location 400 (e.g., enters thecommunication area 405 corresponding to the sort location 400), the userdevice 110 may establish a wireless communication connection with one ormore location devices 415 associated with the sort location 400 andreceive sort location data from the one or more location devices 415 atBlock 505. As the user device 110 is moved proximate the sort location,the user device 110 receives the signals broadcast by one or more of thelocation devices 415 at Block 505. At Block 506 the user device 110 maydetermine whether the received signals satisfy one or more signalcriteria in order to validate the identity of the proximate sortlocation. For example, the user device 110 may determine whether thesignal strength received from each of the one or more location devices415 satisfies a predetermined signal strength threshold (e.g., thesignal strength threshold may define a minimum signal strength).Moreover, the user device 110 may determine whether a signal is receivedfrom a minimum number of location devices 415 associated with aparticular sort location. As yet another example, the user device 110may determine whether a signal indicating that the user device isproximate to sort location 400 from at least 3 location devices 415 eachbroadcasting the identity of the sort location 400. In variousembodiments, the user device 110 may determine whether two or moresignal criteria are satisfied (e.g., the signal strength threshold andthe minimum number of location devices 415). Such criteria may impedefalse positive determinations that the user device 110 is proximate aparticular sort location. Additional details in this respect may beunderstood with reference to U.S. Ser. No. 15/390,109, the contents ofwhich as are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Upon determining that the signals received by the user device 110satisfy the one or more signal criteria, the user device 110 maytransmit the sort location identity data received from the one or morelocation devices 415 and the asset identity data to the control system100 at Block 506. The control system 100 may then determine whether theuser device 110 is proximate the appropriate sort location for theasset. The control system 100 may be configured to transmit anindication of whether the user device 110 is proximate the appropriatesort location to the user device 110.

Alternatively, after the user device 110 enters the communication area405, the user device 110 may be configured to transmit the assetidentifier to the location devices 415. In various embodiments whereinthe asset identifier data comprises data regarding the appropriate sortlocation for the asset 10, the location devices 415 may be configured totransmit data indicating whether the user device 110, and consequentlythe user 5 and asset 10, is proximate the appropriate sort location(e.g., within the communication area 405) to the user device 110. Invarious embodiments, the one or more location devices 415 may beconfigured to transmit at least a portion of the asset identifier datato the control system 100, which may be configured to determine whetherthe user device 110 is proximate the appropriate sort location. Thecontrol system 100 may be configured to transmit an indication ofwhether the user device 110 is proximate the appropriate sort locationto the one or more location devices 415, which may be configured totransmit an indication of whether the user device is proximate theappropriate sort location to the user device 110. Additional details inthis respect may be understood with reference to U.S. Ser. No.15/390,109, the contents of which as are hereby incorporated byreference in their entirety.

Referring again to FIG. 8, upon a determination that the user device 110is proximate an incorrect sort location 400 (e.g., within acommunication area 405 corresponding to a final delivery vehicle thatdoes not travel to the asset's 10 destination address) at Block 508, atleast one of the control system 100 and/or the one or more locationdevices 415 may be configured to transmit mistake data to the userdevice 110, and the user device 110 may be configured to receive themistake data at Block 512. Upon receiving the mistake data, the userdevice 110 may be configured to generate a mistake message to inform theuser 5 (e.g., sort personnel) that the asset 10 is proximate anincorrect sort location 400 at Block 513. Alternatively or additionally,the display 420 may be configured to display a mistake message to informthe user 5 that the asset 10 is proximate to an incorrect sort location400 at Block 513. Additional details in this respect may be understoodwith reference to U.S. Ser. No. 15/390,109, the contents of which as arehereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Thus, as a non-limiting example, mistake data may be generated if theuser 5 approaches an incorrect sort location and/or enters an incorrectsort location. As indicated at Block 514, the user device 110 may unlinkthe asset identifier data and the user device 110 such that the assetidentifier data is cleared from the memory of the user device 110 suchthat the asset identifier data is no longer stored in the memory of theuser device 110 upon the occurrence of a triggering event. Suchtriggering event may be, for example, reading, scanning, or otherwisereceiving asset identifier data (e.g., via the indicia reader device)while the user device 110 is in the communication area 405, losingconnection between one or more location devices 415 and the user device110 (e.g., upon a determination that the wireless communicationconnection between the plurality of location devices 415 and the userdevice 110 no longer satisfy the signal criteria), after receiving assetidentifier data regarding a second asset 10, and/or otherwise after atriggering event. In various embodiments, the user device 110 may beconfigured to reset, or otherwise dissociate the asset identified datafrom the user device 110 upon the occurrence of a triggering event.Accordingly, in the event that the user device 110 is located proximatean incorrect sort location, the user may be required to rescan theindicia associated with the asset 10 to relink the asset identified datawith the user device 110 before transporting the asset 10 to theappropriate sort location. This may be associated further with a re-sortof the item or asset 10 in Block 515, for which additional details inthis respect may be understood with reference to U.S. Ser. No.15/390,109, the contents of which as are hereby incorporated byreference in their entirety.

Referring again to Block 508, the process may proceed after transmissionof the asset identifier data and/or sort location identifier data to theone or more location devices 415 and/or control system 100 (illustratedas Block 507) with reference to Blocks 509-511 if the user 5 approachesthe appropriate sort location. Upon a determination that the user device110 is proximate and/or within the appropriate sort location (e.g.,within the communication area 405 corresponding to the appropriate sortlocation), the control system 100 and/or the one or more locationdevices 415 may be configured to transmit confirmation data to the userdevice 110 indicating the user device 110 is proximate the appropriatesort location for the asset 10, and the user device 110 may beconfigured to receive the confirmation data at Block 509. Upon receivingthe confirmation data, the user device 110 may be configured to generatea confirmation message to inform the user 5 (e.g., sort personnel) thatthe asset 10 is near the appropriate sort location 400 at Block 510.Alternatively or additionally, the display 420 may be configured todisplay a confirmation message to inform the user 5 that the asset 10 isnear the appropriate sort location 400 at Block 510. As a non-limitingexample, the user device 110 may be configured to cause display of aconfirmation message via the display 114, emit a confirmation sound,and/or otherwise provide the user 5 with confirmation that the userdevice 110 is proximate the appropriate sort location.

In various embodiments, after receiving the confirmation data, the userdevice 110 may be configured to associate the asset identifier data witha sort location identifier. Alternatively, the asset identifier data maybe transmitted to the control system 100, which may be configured toassociate the asset identifier data with the sort location data.

After receiving the confirmation data and/or after another triggeringevent, the user device 110 may be configured to dissociate, unlink,delete, clear, or otherwise remove the asset identifier data regardingthe recently sorted asset 10 from the active memory of the user device110 at Block 511. The user device 110 may be configured to unlink theasset identifier data after the user device 110 determines that the oneor more signal criteria are no longer satisfied, after a predeterminedamount of time after receiving the confirmation data; after scanning,reading, or otherwise receiving the asset identifier data regarding theasset 10 (e.g., via the indicia reader) while the user device 110 islocated within the communication area 405; after receiving assetidentifier data regarding a second asset 10; after receiving user inputvia the user device 110; and/or otherwise after a triggering event. Theuser device 110 may be utilized to receive asset identifier dataregarding a subsequent asset 10 to be sorted, and the process may berepeated.

The user device 110 may have any of a variety of configurations. Forexample, the user device 110 may not transmit or receive data (e.g.,asset identifier data) from the control system 100, and may instead onlytransmit and receive data from one or more location devices 415.Moreover, the user device 110 may not generate and/or displayappropriate sort location data, and instead the user 5 (e.g., sortpersonnel) may be required to ascertain the appropriate sort locationfor an asset 10 without a reminder or other indication from the userdevice 110. Alternatively, the appropriate sort location may be printedon the asset 10 in human readable form such that the user 5 (e.g., sortpersonnel) may determine the appropriate sort location based oninformation printed on or otherwise physically associated with the asset10.

As yet another alternative, the user device 110 need not establish a newconnection with one or more proximate location devices 415 each time theuser device enters a connection area 405. In various embodiments, theuser device 110 may be configured to associate the asset identifier dataand the location data prior to a determination whether the first sortlocation 400 is the appropriate sort location for the asset 10.Alternatively, the user device 110 may be configured to associate theasset identifier data and the location data without determining whetherthe first sort location 400 is the appropriate sort location for theasset 10. The user device 110 may be further configured to generate oneor more alerts regarding the association between the asset identifierdata and the location data. The user device 110 may be configured togenerate an alert to inform the user 5 (e.g., sort personnel) or otherusers regarding asset identifier data being associated with locationdata. Additional details in this respect and otherwise related to theuser device 110 operation relative to a particular sort location 400 maybe understood with reference to U.S. Ser. No. 15/390,109, the contentsof which as are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

C. Exemplary Location Device Operation

In various embodiments, each sort location may be associated with aplurality of location devices 415 embodied as wireless beacons eachconfigured to broadcast data indicative of the identity of theassociated sort location 400 such that the user device 110 may receivesuch broadcast data. Accordingly, each location device 415 may beconfigured to establish a one-way communication connection with a userdevice 110 such that each of the location devices 415 may transmit data,but not receive data from the user device 110. For example, eachlocation device 415 may be configured to transmit data indicative of theidentity of the sort location 400 to the user device 110 upon the userdevice entering the broadcast area of the location device 415. The userdevice 110 may then be configured to transmit the sort location identitydata and/or the asset identity data indicative of the identity of theasset being transported by the user to the control system 100 foradditional processing.

Alternatively, each location device 415 may be configured to transmitand/or receive data from the user device 110 and/or the control system100. FIG. 13 illustrates exemplary steps carried out by a locationdevice 415 according to various embodiments of the present invention. Asillustrated in FIG. 13, each location device 415 may receive assetidentifier data at Block 601. The asset identifier data may betransmitted to one or more location devices 415 from a user device 110.Additional details in this respect may be understood with reference toU.S. Ser. No. 15/390,109, the contents of which as are herebyincorporated by reference in their entirety.

In various embodiments, the location device 415 may be configured totransmit at least a portion of the received asset identifier data to thecontrol system 100 at Block 602. The control system 100 may beconfigured to determine the appropriate sort location for the asset 10based at least in part on the asset identifier information received fromthe location device 415. Alternatively, the location device 415 may beconfigured to determine whether the sort location 400 associated withthe location device is the appropriate sort location for the asset 10.Additional details in this respect may be understood with reference toU.S. Ser. No. 15/390,109, the contents of which as are herebyincorporated by reference in their entirety.

As indicated at Block 603, the remaining steps to be completed may beselected based at least in part on a determination of whether thelocation device 415 corresponds to the appropriate sort location 400.Upon a determination that the sort location 400 associated with thelocation device 415 is not the determined appropriate sort location, thelocation device is configured to receive mistake data at Block 607. AtBlock 608, the location device 415 may be configured to transmit themistake data to the user device 110 (see also FIG. 15D). The user 5(e.g., sort personnel) may then continue transporting the asset 10 (andconsequently the user device 110) to another sort location 400 at Block609, and the process ends at Block 611. Additional details in thisrespect may be understood with reference to U.S. Ser. No. 15/390,109,the contents of which as are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

Referring again to Block 603, the process may proceed after transmissionof the asset identifier data to the control system 100 (illustrated asBlock 602) with reference to Blocks 604¬606 if the user 5 approaches theappropriate sort location (see also FIG. 15E). Upon a determination thatthe sort location 400 associated with the location device 415 is theappropriate sort location, the location device may be configured toreceive confirmation data at Block 604. As indicated herein, theconfirmation data may indicate that the user device 110 is proximate theappropriate sort location.

At Block 605, the location device 415 may be configured to transmit theconfirmation data to the user device 110 and/or the display 420. Asindicated herein, the user device 110 and/or the display 420 may beconfigured to generate an indication discernible by the user 5 that theproximate sort location 400 (i.e., the sort location 400 associated withthe location device 415) is the determined appropriate sort location forthe asset 10 (see again, FIG. 15E). The user 5 (e.g., sort personnel)may then deposit the asset 10 at the appropriate sort location. At Block606, the location device 415 may associate the asset identifier datawith sort location identifier data upon the occurrence of a triggeringevent. As non-limiting examples, the triggering event may be theexpiration of a predetermined amount of time after receiving orgenerating confirmation data, the reception of asset identifier datawhile the user device 110 is within the communication area 405, thereception of user input via the user device 110, and/or the like.

The location device 415 may have any of a variety of differentconfigurations. Additional details in this respect may be understoodwith reference to U.S. Ser. No. 15/390,109, the contents of which as arehereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

D. Exemplary Control System Operation

FIG. 14 illustrates exemplary steps carried out by the control system100 according to various embodiments of the present invention. Asillustrated in FIG. 14, the control system 100 may receive assetidentifier data and conveyor belt data at Block 701. As indicatedherein, the asset indicator data may be received from the user device110, the acquisition device 115, and/or the one or more location devices415. The conveyor belt data (e.g., the imaging of unique portions of thepattern of colored stripes 808 on the conveying mechanism 802 (see FIGS.10 and 16B)) may be received from the user device 110 and/or theacquisition device 115.

Further details regarding the scope and contents of the asset identifierdata and the conveyor belt data have been described previously herein.Relative to the asset identifier data, still additional details in thisrespect may be understood with reference to U.S. Ser. No. 15/390,109,the contents of which as are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

At Block 702, the control system 100 may be configured to determine theappropriate sort location 400 for the asset 10 and/or the appropriateposition within the sort location for the asset 10. In variousembodiments, the determination of the appropriate sort location for theasset 10 may be based at least in part on the received asset identifierdata. Moreover, the control system 100 may utilize sort location datacorresponding to each of the sort locations 400 to determine whether anysubsequent processing to be performed on assets 10 at each sort location400 will move the asset 10 closer to its final destination. As anon-limiting example, the control system 100 may determine theappropriate sort location for an asset 10 to be delivered to 123 MainStreet, Atlanta, Ga. is the delivery vehicle that will deliver otherassets 10 to 123 Main Street, Atlanta, Ga. Additional details in thisrespect may be understood with reference to U.S. Ser. No. 15/390,109,the contents of which as are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

Referring again to FIG. 14, at Block 703 the control system 100 may beconfigured to transmit data identifying the appropriate sort location tothe user device 110. As noted herein, the user device 110 and/or thedisplay 420 may be configured to generate an indicator (e.g., visualindicators 452/810) discernible by the user 5 (e.g., sort personnel)regarding the appropriate sort location for the asset 10. However, asnoted herein, each asset 10 may have information indicative of anappropriate sort location printed thereon, and accordingly the controlsystem 100 may not transmit appropriate sort location data to the userdevice 110 and/or the display 420 for display to the user 5.

In certain embodiments, the sort location data transmitted in Block 703by the control system 100 may be associated not only with the asset 10but also the unique pattern of colored stripes 808 received andassociated therewith (e.g., as may be received from the acquisitiondevice 115, as detailed elsewhere herein). In these and otherembodiments, the sort location data may be configured to facilitateidentification of the asset 10 by a user 5 via use of the user device110 only monitoring and recognizing the unique pattern of coloredstripes 808 on the conveying mechanism 802. Stated otherwise, in certainembodiments, the user device 110 need not obtain or otherwise scan assetidentifier data directly, so as to enable utilization of user-worn(e.g., glasses) devices 110 from further distances relative to theassets 10 (and in particular a label thereon containing the assetidentifier data).

The control system 100 may also be configured to receive sort locationdata from the user device 110 and/or the location device 415 upon theuser device entering the communication area 405 corresponding to thelocation device 415 at Block 704. At Block 705, the control system 100may subsequently compare the appropriate sort location and the sortlocation data received at Block 704 to determine whether the user device110 is proximate the appropriate sort location. As indicated at Block706, the remaining steps to be completed may be selected based at leastin part on a determination of whether the location device 415corresponds to the appropriate sort location. Additional details in thisrespect may be understood with reference to U.S. Ser. No. 15/390,109,the contents of which as are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

Upon a determination that the user device 110 is proximate an incorrectsort location 400, the control system 100 may generate mistake data atBlock 710. Upon generating the mistake data, the control system 100 maytransmit the mistake data to the user device 110, the display 420,and/or the location device 415 at Block 711. As indicated herein, theuser device 110, the display 420, and/or the location device 415 may beconfigured to generate a message discernible by the user 5 (e.g., sortpersonnel) indicating the user device 110 is proximate an incorrect sortlocation 400 (see FIG. 15D). In various embodiments, the control system100 may be configured to associate the asset identifier data with thesort location data corresponding to the sort location 400 at Block 712.At Block 713, the user 5 may continue transporting the asset 10 (andconsequently the user device 110) to another sort location 400. Theprocess may return to Block 701 and repeat the recited steps.

Referring again to Block 706, the process may proceed after comparingthe sort location data and the appropriate sort location data for theasset 10 (illustrated as Block 705) with reference to Blocks 707-709 ifthe user 5 approaches the appropriate sort location. Additional detailsin this respect may be understood with reference to U.S. Ser. No.15/390,109, the contents of which as are hereby incorporated byreference in their entirety.

The control system 100 may be further configured to generate one or morealerts regarding the association between the asset identifier data andthe location data. The control system 100 may be configured to generatean alert to inform the user 5 (e.g., sort personnel) or other usersregarding asset identifier data being associated with location data.Additional details in this respect may likewise be understood withreference to U.S. Ser. No. 15/390,109, the contents of which as arehereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

VI. EXEMPLARY USE

Referring again to FIGS. 5, 10, and 15F collectively, shown therein areexemplary sort facilities in which assets 10 may be moved by a user 5(e.g., sort personnel) from an intake location 450 (e.g., adjacent anacquisition device 115/410) via a conveying mechanism 402/802 to one ofa plurality of sort locations 400.

As shown in FIG. 10 specifically, exemplary use of the system andarchitecture described herein may begin in certain embodiments withpassing of one or more assets 10 through an acquisition zone 401 (seeFIG. 5), which is adjacent to and/or surrounding an acquisition device115/410. In this zone 401 the acquisition device 115 is configured,according to various embodiments to capture (e.g., image and/or scan) acombination of asset identifier data (e.g., shipping label data,tracking indicia, or the like) and conveyor belt data (e.g., an image ofa set of uniquely patterned stripes surrounding the asset captured).

Once captured, the asset identifier data and the conveyor belt data(including the unique pattern of stripes surrounding the asset withwhich the identifier data is associated) is transmitted to the controlsystem 100 for storage and correlation relative to one another. Incertain embodiments this associated set of data may be periodicallyand/or proactively forwarded by the control system 100 to appropriateuser devices 110; in other embodiments, the control system 100 may beconfigured to passively await receipt of conveyor belt data from atleast one user device 110, at which point in time a match between thereceived conveyor belt data and that stored is conducted. Once matchingoccurs, the asset identifier data may be received/displayed at the userdevice 110.

Returning to FIG. 10 once more, it may be understood that downstream ofthe acquisition device 115 is a sorting zone (see also FIG. 5, zone405). In this zone, following capture of data related to the assets bythe acquisition device, a user 5 wearing or otherwise utilizing a userdevice 110 may approach the conveying mechanism 402/802 (e.g., aconveyor belt, slide, chute, bottle conveyor, open or enclosed trackconveyor, I-beam conveyor, cleated conveyor, and/or the like) upon whichthe assets remain.

When adjacent or near the conveying mechanism 802, the user device 110is configured to monitor, detect, and/or otherwise recognize the uniquepatterns of stripes on the conveying mechanism as the latter moves by.Via interactions with the control system 100 and/or the acquisitiondevice 115, upon detection of a unique pattern, the user device 110may—upon matching thereof with a stored unique pattern associated withobtained asset identifier data—generate for the user a visual indicator810 (see also indicators 1001-1003 in FIGS. 15A-C) that, based upon theasset identifier data retrieved via association with the stored uniquepattern, convey to the user 5 utilizing the user device 110 (forexample, via a generated augmented reality environment projected viaglasses worn by the user) sorting instructions for the assetsapproaching (or passing by) on the conveying mechanism 802.

Based upon the visual indicator 810 displayed, a user 5 may remove anasset 10 from an intake location (see also FIG. 5) and scan, read, orotherwise obtain (e.g., without direct scan, but only via informationelectronically communicated to the user device 110) asset identifierdata from the asset 10. In one embodiment, the user device 110 mayreceive and store asset identifier data based at least in part on theinformation received from the asset indicia. In other embodiments, theuser device 110 may receive and store asset identifier data onlyelectronically, without any direct scan or imaging thereof by the userdevice (e.g., the user device 110 would only scan, monitor, and/or imagethe unique patterns of stripes 808 on the conveying mechanism 802. Inany of these and still other embodiments, though, upon removal of theasset 10 from the intake location, the user 5 may then transport (e.g.,carry) the asset 10 and the user device 110 away from the intakelocation 450 (and thus the conveying mechanism 402/802) and toward oneof the plurality of sort locations 400. As the user 5 nears a sortlocation, the user device 110 may then receive sort location identifierdata from one or more location devices 415, as described elsewhereherein and also described in additional detail in U.S. Ser. No.15/390,109, the contents of which as are hereby incorporated byreference in their entirety.

Handling generally of the asset 10 by the user 5 at or near the sortlocations 400 is likewise best understood with reference to U.S. Ser.No. 15/390,109, the contents of which as are hereby incorporated byreference in their entirety. In various embodiments, though, afterdepositing the asset 10 at a sort location 400, the user 5 may return tothe intake location 450 with the user device 110 and begin the abovedescribed method for a second asset 10 to be sorted. Still furtheralternative and/or additional exemplary uses may be understood withreference to U.S. Ser. No. 15/390,109, the contents of which as arehereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

VII. CONCLUSION

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forthherein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which theseinventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in theforegoing descriptions and the associated drawings. For example, variousembodiments may be configured to associate a plurality of assets with aparticular sort location. In such embodiments, a sort employee may scanthe improved conveyor belt to identify multiple patterns thereonassociated with a plurality of asset identifiers (e.g., sequentiallyand/or simultaneously depending upon field of view) before transportingtwo or more of the plurality of items to a sort location (whether asingle shared location or separate respective locations). Thereafter,the plurality of assets may be associated with the proximate sortlocation according to the features and methods described herein.Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to belimited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications andother embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of theappended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they areused in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes oflimitation.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for associating an asset travellingalong a conveying mechanism with a sort location, the system comprising:a conveyor belt assembly comprising: a conveyor mechanism comprising aplurality of stripes defining a visible surface of the conveyormechanism and providing thereon a non-repeating pattern, the pluralityof stripes comprising a plurality of unique sets of stripes furtherdefining the non-repeating pattern; an acquisition device that isconfigured to capture image data of an asset travelling along a path ofmovement of the conveyor mechanism, the image data captured comprisingasset identifier data and conveyor mechanism data, the conveyormechanism data including one of the plurality of unique sets of stripesdefining the non-repeating pattern of stripes defining the visiblesurface of the conveyor mechanism, the asset identifier data and theconveyor mechanism data being associated relative to one another and theassociated asset; and a user device configured to generate at least onevisual indicator of one or more sort instructions for the asset based atleast in part on the conveyor mechanism data or the asset identifierdata.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the non-repeating pattern isdefined by at least seven unique colors, each stripe within theplurality of stripes comprising one of the at least seven unique colors.3. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of unique sets ofstripes within the plurality of stripes comprise unique sets of at leastthree distinct stripes located adjacent one another.
 4. The system ofclaim 1, wherein at least one visual indicator of one or more sortinstructions that are displayed to a user device worn by a usercomprises at least one directional arrow overlaid in an augmentedreality environment generated by the user device in the field of view ofthe user wearing the user device.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein theasset identifier data is selected from the group consisting of anoptical code, a barcode, a QR code, an RFID tag, and a character string.6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a user device that iseither a pair of monocular glasses or a pair of binocular glassesconfigured to be worn by the user such that the glasses display to theuser, relative to the asset, at least one visual indicator of one ormore sort instructions for the asset based upon remotely received assetidentifier data.
 7. The system of claim 1, further comprising acontroller system remotely located relative to both the conveyor beltassembly and a user device, wherein: the user device is configured totransmit, to the controller system, the conveyor mechanism data capturedby the user device; and the controller system is configured to: receivefrom the acquisition device the image data captured thereby; associatethe asset identifier data and the conveyor mechanism data captured bythe acquisition device within the captured image data relative to oneanother and store the same in a database associated with the controllersystem, the association resulting in discrete portions of the conveyormechanism data captured together with discrete portions of the assetidentifier data being identified relative to one another; match theconveyor mechanism data captured by the user device with at least oneportion of the conveyor mechanism data captured by the acquisitiondevice; and transmit to the user device asset identifier data associatedwith the conveyor mechanism data captured by the user device.
 8. Thesystem of claim 7, wherein: the conveyor mechanism data captured by theuser device is one of the unique sets of stripes on the conveyormechanism; and the matching that occurs involves a matching of the oneof the unique sets of stripes captured by the user device with acorresponding unique set of stripes captured by the acquisition device.9. The system of claim 1, further comprising one or more locationdevices associated with a sort location, wherein: each of the one ormore location devices comprises: a location device memory; and one ormore location device computer processors configured to: store locationdata indicative of the identity of the sort location; and transmit atleast a portion of the location data to a user device when a userwearing the user device is located adjacent the sort location; and theuser device is configured to: generate and display to the user, relativeto the sort location, at least one visual indicator of one or more sortinstructions for the asset.
 10. A computer implemented method forassociating an asset travelling along a conveyor mechanism with a sortlocation, the method comprising: based at least in part on a userdevice, configured to be worn by a user, being adjacent a conveyormechanism, capturing conveyor mechanism data, the conveyor mechanismdata includes an indication of at least one pattern of a plurality ofunique patterns along a visible surface on the conveyor mechanism, eachof the plurality of unique patterns are non-repeating; remotelyreceiving, at the user device, asset identifier data associated with anasset that is located on the conveyor mechanism; and based at least inpart on the conveyor mechanism data and the asset identifier data,generating and displaying to the user device, at least one visualindicator of one or more sort instructions for the asset.
 11. The methodof claim 10, further comprising: receiving from an acquisition deviceimage data captured thereby; associating the asset identifier data andthe conveyor mechanism data within the captured image data relative toone another and store the association in a database, the associationresulting in discrete portions of the conveyor mechanism data capturedtogether with discrete portions of the asset identifier data beingidentified relative to one another; and matching the conveyor mechanismdata captured by the user device with at least one portion of theconveyor mechanism data captured by an acquisition device.
 12. Themethod of claim 11, wherein: the conveyor mechanism data captured by theuser device is one of a unique sets of stripes on the conveyormechanism; and the matching that occurs includes a matching of the oneof the unique sets of stripes captured by the user device with acorresponding unique set of stripes captured by the acquisition device.13. The method of claim 10, wherein one or more location devices locatedat a sort location store location data indicative of identity of thesort location, and wherein the method further comprises receive at leasta portion of the location data to the user device in response to theuser device being located adjacent the sort location; and generate anddisplay to the user device, relative to the sort location, at least onevisual indicator of one or more sort instructions for the asset.
 14. Themethod of claim 10, wherein the non-repeating pattern is defined by atleast seven unique colors, each pattern within the plurality of uniquepatterns comprising one of the at least seven unique colors.
 15. Themethod of claim 10, wherein the plurality of unique patterns compriseunique sets of at least three distinct stripes located adjacent oneanother.
 16. The method of claim 10, wherein the at least one visualindicator of the one or more sort instructions comprises at least onedirectional arrow overlaid in an augmented reality environment generatedby the user device in the field of view of the user wearing the userdevice.
 17. The method of claim 10, wherein the asset identifier data isselected from the group consisting of an optical code, a barcode, a QRcode, an RFID tag, and a character string.
 18. The method of claim 10,wherein the user device is either a pair of monocular glasses or a pairof binocular glasses configured to be worn by the user during usethereof.
 19. A computer program product for associating an assettravelling along a conveying mechanism with a sort location, thecomputer program product comprising at least one non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program codeportions stored therein, the computer-readable program code portionscomprising one or more executable portions configured for: capturing, bya user device, conveyor mechanism data, the conveyor mechanism dataincludes an indication of at least one pattern of a plurality of uniquepatterns along a visible surface on a conveyor mechanism; remotelyreceiving, at the user device, asset identifier data associated with anasset that is located on the conveyor mechanism; and based at least inpart on the conveyor mechanism data or the asset identifier data,generating and displaying to the user device, at least one visualindicator of one or more sort instructions for the asset.
 20. Thecomputer program product of claim 19, wherein the one or more executableportions are further configured to match the conveyor mechanism datacaptured by the user device with at least one portion of the conveyormechanism data captured by an acquisition device, wherein the generatingand the displaying of the at least one visual indicator of one or moresort instructions for the asset is further based on the matching.